The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has scheduled October 20 for the inauguration of its Presidential Campaign Council as the party intensifies preparations for the 2027 general elections.
The party’s National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas, announced the date on Saturday during a press briefing in Abuja, assuring Nigerians that the party remained united behind its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso.
Cleopas said the inauguration would take place during a meeting of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC), which would also ratify key decisions concerning its preparations for the elections.
He disclosed that the party would present Certificates of Return to its candidates and organise a dinner to strengthen cooperation among members ahead of the polls.
According to the chairman, the planned inauguration demonstrates the party’s commitment to its electoral preparations, dismissing suggestions that the NDC was not ready for the 2027 elections.
“The propaganda that our party is not committed to the elections is definitely a sign of fear in the camp of the ruling party,” he said.
Cleopas explained that the party was taking time to carefully select members of the campaign council, stressing that the importance of the forthcoming election required individuals with the appropriate character and capacity.
“It is better to get it right. It is a sensitive election that we are going into. And we must check characters,” he added.
The NDC chairman also rejected claims that the party had been inactive since unveiling Obi and Kwankwaso as its presidential and vice-presidential candidates.
He said party leaders had continued to engage stakeholders through consultations and town hall meetings, citing recent visits to Sokoto and Kaduna.
Cleopas further announced that the party would visit Enugu on October 15 as part of its ongoing consultations ahead of the elections.
On the party’s presidential ticket, he maintained that the national leadership, including National Leader Seriake Dickson, the National Working Committee and the NEC, remained committed to Obi and Kwankwaso.
“Our presidential candidate and vice-presidential candidate today have the mandate of the party to lead us into political battle, on a rescue mission for this country,” he said.
He described the ticket as a representation of Nigeria’s religious, ethnic and generational diversity.
The chairman also vowed that the NDC would challenge any alleged attempts to manipulate the electoral process before, during and after the elections.
He said the party would remain vigilant throughout the electoral process and expressed confidence that its candidates would be inaugurated on May 29, 2027.
