The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has announced plans to inaugurate its Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) following consultations with stakeholders across the country.
The party made this known in a statement issued on Tuesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, Esq., saying its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and his running mate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, had engaged the party’s National Leader and other members of the leadership on the composition of the campaign council.
The NDC said Obi and Kwankwaso had been given the authority to nominate key officials of the campaign council, including the Director-General, Deputy Director-General (North), Spokesman, Deputy Spokesperson, Head of New Media, Finance Director and Deputy Finance Director.
The party said the arrangement was designed to promote inclusiveness and cohesion within the campaign structure.
It stated that a comprehensive organogram for the campaign had been prepared since August and presented to Obi and Kwankwaso for their input, while nominations had also been received from stakeholders across the country.
“The party leadership has given a free hand to the presidential candidate and his running mate to make nominations,” the statement said.
The NDC added that the Finance Director and Deputy Finance Director, working alongside the National Treasurer, would oversee campaign funds in accordance with transparency and accountability requirements.
It explained that funds raised for the campaign would be paid into the presidential campaign account and managed by officials nominated by the presidential candidate and his running mate, together with the party’s National Treasurer.
The party said it would announce and inaugurate the PCC once it received the final inputs from Obi and Kwankwaso.
According to the statement, the inauguration was initially scheduled for the first week of September but was postponed due to the presidential candidate’s travel schedule.
The NDC also disclosed that it had proposed a campaign timetable since August and was concluding arrangements for funding and fundraising, which would be spearheaded by the presidential candidate and his running mate.
The party urged its candidates and their supporters at all levels to avoid internal disputes and concentrate on the forthcoming elections.
“There are no battles to fight within the NDC. The common opponent to defeat is the ruling APC,” the party stated.
Meanwhile, the NDC leadership has directed all state and Local Government Area chairmen to immediately meet with candidates and relevant stakeholders to compile and harmonise lists of party agents for the forthcoming general elections.
The party said two categories of agents should be identified—one for National Assembly elections and another for governorship and State Assembly elections.
The lists will be scrutinised and ratified by the party leadership, including the presidential candidate and his running mate, before the commencement of training.
The exercise is expected to be completed and the final lists submitted within two weeks of the directive.
The committee responsible for appointing the party agents is chaired by Comrade Babatunde Alli, Deputy National Chairman (South), with Vin Martin Ilo as Secretary. Dr Yunusa Tanko, Nafiu Dankura and the National Vice Chairmen representing the six geopolitical zones are also members.
