The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has announced plans to unveil its National Campaign Council and present its Statement of Account at the party’s third National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for Monday in Abuja.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, noting that the meeting would commence at 10 a.m. at JD Event Centre, Kashim Ibrahim Way, opposite A-Class Park, Maitama, Abuja.
According to Director, the presentation of the party’s financial statement by the National Treasurer will be one of the major highlights of the meeting, underscoring the party’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
He challenged other political parties, particularly the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), to adopt similar standards of openness in managing their finances.
“This is in deference to our avowed commitment to the principles of transparency and accountability,” Director said.
He added that the NDC’s approach to party financing was informed by the economic difficulties confronting Nigerians, which he attributed to the policies of the APC-led administration.
The publicity secretary explained that approximately 80 per cent of the party’s candidates could not afford the Expression of Interest forms, prompting the NDC to provide the forms free of charge to eligible candidates.
“For the NDC, it is no longer politics as usual. Our finances would have been more robust. However, contrary to speculations in the public domain, and due to the level of poverty, hunger and deprivation in the country occasioned by the rudderless APC and its amorphous economic policies, about 80% of our candidates could not afford the Expression of Interest forms. The party had to issue forms to such candidates free of charge,” he said.
Director further disclosed that the meeting would feature the unveiling of the party’s National Campaign Council (NCC), which he described as an all-encompassing structure designed to coordinate campaigns across different levels of government.
According to him, the council will cover the presidential, National Assembly, governorship and State Houses of Assembly campaigns.
The party will also present Certificates of Return to its candidates contesting the various elective positions.
Describing the NDC as prepared for the forthcoming electoral contests, Director said the party was committed to offering Nigerians what he called altruistic leadership.
“The NDC is turbo-charged and ready to give Nigerians the altruistic leadership the nation deserves,” he added.
