The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) said on Monday it is in advanced consultations to constitute and inaugurate a Presidential Campaign Council, with presidential candidate Peter Obi and running mate Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso given a free hand to nominate most of the council’s principal officers.
The party said the two candidates have already held several meetings with National Leader Senator Henry Seriake Dickson and other party leaders. A full organogram of the campaign structure was prepared in August and shared with Obi and Kwankwaso for input, while nominations were also received from stakeholders nationwide.
“The party leadership has given a free hand to the presidential candidate and his running mate to make nominations,” the statement signed by National Publicity Secretary Osa Director Esq said.
Obi and Kwankwaso are to nominate the Director-General, Deputy Director-General (North), campaign spokesman and deputy, Head of New Media, Finance Director and Deputy Finance Director, among others. The Finance Director and deputy, working with the party’s National Treasurer, will manage campaign funds.
The party said this arrangement is intended to meet transparency requirements and INEC reporting obligations under the Electoral Act.
Campaign funds raised will be paid into a dedicated presidential campaign account overseen by officers nominated by the Presidential Candidate, his running mate and the National Treasurer of the Party. The party said it has already proposed a campaign timetable but is waiting to finalise funding and fundraising arrangements to be led by the candidates.
The inauguration, originally planned for the first week of September, was postponed because of Obi’s travel schedule. The NDC said it will announce and inaugurate the council once the candidates submit their remaining inputs.
The party also used the statement to call for internal discipline. It appealed to all NDC candidates and their support groups to avoid intra-party battles and focus on defeating the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“There are no battles to fight within the NDC. The common opponent to defeat is the ruling APC,” the statement said. “Our candidates should keep their eyes on the ball and focus on winning.”
It added that NDC candidates at all levels are not running as independents and should therefore work for a collective victory.
Separately, the party directed all state and local government chairmen to convene meetings with candidates and stakeholders within two weeks to produce two lists of PARTY AGENTS — one for National Assembly elections and another for governorship and state assembly elections. The lists will be scrutinised and ratified by party leadership, including Obi and Kwankwaso, before training begins.
The committee for the Party Agents will be chaired by Deputy National Chairman (South) Comrade Babatunde Alli, with Vin Martin Ilo as secretary and members including Dr Yunusa Tanko, the Director of the Obidients Movement, Nafiu Dankura, for the Kwankwasiyya Movement and the six zonal National Vice Chairmen, will oversee the appointment of agents.
