The NDC has fixed October 20 for its Presidential Campaign Council inauguration as Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso intensify preparations for the 2027 elections.
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has fixed October 20 for the inauguration of its Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) as the party intensifies preparations for the 2027 general
The party’s National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas, announced the date during a news conference in Abuja on Saturday, explaining that the move formed part of efforts to establish an effective political structure ahead of the next electoral cycle.
Cleopas said the party was working to ensure that its campaign arrangements were properly coordinated, with appropriate personnel selected to manage the various aspects of its presidential electioneering activities.
He also disclosed that certificates of return would be presented on the same date, although he did not provide further details about the recipients or the circumstances surrounding the exercise.
The announcement comes as political parties begin strengthening their organisational structures, engaging supporters and preparing strategies for the 2027 general elections.
According to Cleopas, the NDC has already developed a framework for its Presidential Campaign Council, but the party’s leadership is consulting its presidential and vice-presidential candidates before finalising appointments to key positions.
He explained that the National Working Committee (NWC) prepared the proposed structure and submitted it to the candidates for their input to ensure that the final arrangements reflect their expectations and campaign priorities.
The positions under consideration include Director-General, Deputy Director-General, Finance Director, Director of Mobilisation and spokesperson.
Cleopas said the party was determined to make suitable appointments rather than rush the process and risk creating disagreements that could affect the smooth running of its campaign.
He maintained that the time being taken to complete the process should not be mistaken for a lack of preparation, insisting that the NDC had continued working towards the 2027 elections.
NDC explains delay in campaign council inauguration
Addressing concerns surrounding the timing of the Presidential Campaign Council’s inauguration, the NDC chairman said the party was approaching the process carefully to ensure that the campaign team would function effectively.
He explained that consultations with the party’s presidential and vice-presidential candidates were necessary because the individuals who would lead the campaign needed to have confidence in the people assigned to critical responsibilities.
According to him, the leadership wants to avoid disagreements over appointments that could distract the party from its electoral objectives.
The proposed council is expected to provide an organisational framework for coordinating campaign activities, managing finances, mobilising supporters and communicating the party’s positions to Nigerians.
Cleopas did not suggest that the party had suspended its other preparations while working on the council’s composition.
Instead, he highlighted ongoing political engagements and arrangements for election-day representation as evidence of the NDC’s continued activities.
The party is seeking to strengthen its structures before the campaign enters a more intensive phase, with attention being given to both national-level coordination and grassroots participation.
Obi, Kwankwaso continue engagements with Nigerians
Cleopas also highlighted the activities of the NDC’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and vice-presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, noting that both politicians had been engaging Nigerians through consultations and town hall meetings.
He said the engagements had taken place in Rivers, Sokoto and Kaduna states, while another meeting was scheduled to hold in Enugu on October 15.
The chairman presented these activities as part of the party’s efforts to maintain contact with citizens and expand its political engagement ahead of the 2027 elections.
Town hall meetings and consultations provide opportunities for political candidates to interact with residents, hear their concerns and communicate their positions on issues affecting the country.
For the NDC, such engagements are also part of its broader preparations to build support before the formal campaign machinery becomes fully operational.
However, Cleopas did not provide details about the specific issues discussed at the previous meetings or outline the full schedule of the candidates’ planned engagements.
Party begins preparations for polling agents
Beyond its presidential campaign arrangements, the NDC has started preparations to deploy polling agents across the country ahead of the 2027 elections.
Cleopas disclosed that the party’s state structures had been activated to support the exercise, which is intended to improve its representation at polling units and strengthen its ability to monitor electoral proceedings.
He said the party was working with its candidates contesting senatorial, House of Representatives, governorship and state assembly elections to identify and prepare suitable agents for their respective constituencies.
The chairman explained that adequate polling-unit representation would be important to ensuring that the party could monitor voting activities and safeguard its electoral interests.
The initiative is also intended to address difficulties associated with inadequate representation during elections, although Cleopas did not disclose the number of agents the party intends to deploy or provide a timeline for completing their recruitment and training.
He stressed that protecting votes should begin with public awareness, urging Nigerians to remain vigilant after casting their ballots and ensure that their votes were properly recorded and counted.
His remarks highlighted the importance of participation by voters, alongside the presence of party agents, in promoting transparency throughout the electoral process.
Cleopas clarifies role of Obidient movement, other support groups
The NDC chairman also addressed the relationship between the party’s leadership and external support organisations, cautioning groups against interfering in its internal administration.
He specifically acknowledged the contributions of the OK Movement and the Obidient Movement, describing support groups as important to political mobilisation.
However, he insisted that their activities must remain within clearly defined responsibilities to prevent disagreements with the party’s constitutionally recognised leadership.
According to Cleopas, support groups can mobilise voters, promote candidates and encourage public participation, but they cannot assume responsibility for managing the party or independently perform the functions assigned to its Presidential Campaign Council.
He maintained that the party’s formal structures must retain authority over administrative and organisational matters, while support organisations should concentrate on their designated roles.
The chairman’s comments appeared aimed at encouraging cooperation between the party and the wider networks supporting its political ambitions, without allowing overlapping responsibilities to create avoidable tensions.
Reassuring members of the Obidient Movement that the party values their contributions, Cleopas said the NDC was not opposed to the group or its activities.
“We are not against the Obidient Movement. We recognise its relevance, we need it, we value it and we regard its members as our friends,” he said.
With the October 20 inauguration date approaching, the NDC is working to finalise its campaign leadership, maintain engagement with Nigerians and strengthen its grassroots structures.
The party’s ability to coordinate its candidates, recognised leadership structures and support groups will be important as it prepares for the 2027 general elections.
