NDC To Inaugurate Campaign Council October 20, Plans Training For Agents

NDC To Inaugurate Campaign Council October 20

 

OpenLife News reports the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has fixed October 20, 2026, for the inauguration of its Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), presentation of Certificates of Return to candidates and a strategic dinner for all candidates contesting the 2027 general elections.

The party said consultations with its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and vice-presidential candidate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, are central to constituting the council, hence the delay in unveiling the campaign structure.

National Chairman of the NDC, Senator Moses Cleopas Zuwoghe, disclosed this at a press conference on Saturday at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja, while briefing journalists on the outcome of the National Working Committee (NWC) meeting.

According to him, the PCC organogram and campaign timetable have been ready since the end of August, but inauguration was delayed to allow Obi to vet and shortlist nominees for key positions.

He said the October 20 activities will follow a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for same day, where key decisions on the party’s preparations for 2027 will be considered and ratified.

Obi, Kwankwaso To Nominate Key Officers

Zuwoghe said Obi and Kwankwaso are expected to recommend persons for strategic positions including Director-General, Deputy Director-General, Campaign Spokesperson, Director of Social Media and Financial Controller.

They will also nominate two additional officers who, alongside the National Treasurer, will manage the campaign council’s dedicated bank account.

He explained that involving the candidates was deliberate to ensure the council reflects national spread, competence and capacity, and to prevent avoidable disagreements over appointments.

He insisted there is no division within the party and that the NWC, NEC, National Leader Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, and structures at state, LGA and ward levels remain united behind Obi and Kwankwaso.

He dismissed reports that Dickson was working with the APC to undermine the NDC ticket.

“Why would Dickson go the tortuous and more expensive route of setting up and registering a party when it would have been easier and more financially beneficial to simply join the APC?” he asked.

Training For Party Agents

Beyond the PCC, Zuwoghe said the party is preparing to recruit, train and deploy election agents to avoid a repeat of challenges faced by Obi and Labour Party in 2023.

He said candidates contesting state and national elections will submit two separate lists of agents — one for state elections and another for national elections including presidential, senatorial and House of Representatives polls.

Obi and Kwankwaso will also make inputs into the national list.

The party will thereafter organise intensive training to familiarise agents with monitoring voting, observing procedures, reporting irregularities and protecting candidates’ interests.

Support Groups

The Chairman said the NDC appreciates critical support groups like the Obidients, Kwankwasiyya and OK Movement for mobilising support and defending votes, but frowned at groups assuming party functions such as setting up a presidential campaign committee while consultations were still ongoing.

He said the controversy on social media was being fuelled by sponsored actors infiltrating support groups to spread propaganda and create distrust between the leadership, candidates and genuine supporters.

He stressed there is no misunderstanding between the party and legitimate support groups.

Nationwide Mobilisation

Zuwoghe said consultations and town hall meetings are already ongoing across the country.

“Our town hall began in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

“I was there with our presidential candidate, the Running Mate, the Rivers State governorship candidate of the Party, Dumont Lulu Briggs, among several others.

“We have also had town hall meetings in Sokoto and Kaduna. And by next week, we’ll be in Enugu,” he said.

On electoral integrity, he warned against rigging, declaring: “Allow votes to count or be counted,” and urged security agencies to remain non-partisan.

“We are convinced that if it is the votes to win the 2027 general elections, we have them,” he said, adding that with the October 20 inauguration, the NDC is positioning itself as a major force, committed to national renewal.

“Nigeria must work again,” the party vows