2027: NDC inaugurates presidential campaign council October 20

The Nigeria Democratic Congress has fixed October 20 for the inauguration of its Presidential Campaign Council ahead of the 2027 general elections, with its national chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas, insisting that the party remains united behind its presidential ticket.

Cleopas disclosed this on Saturday at a press briefing in Abuja, saying the inauguration would take place during a meeting of the party’s National Executive Committee, where key decisions on its preparations for the elections would also be ratified.

He said the party would present Certificates of Return to its candidates and hold a dinner to strengthen cooperation ahead of the polls.

He said, “The propaganda that our party is not committed to the elections is definitely a sign of fear in the camp of the ruling party.

“In preparation for full campaign takeoff, we have proposed a meeting of the National Executive Committee of the party on October 20.

“It is at that NEC meeting that we will officially inaugurate the NDC Presidential Campaign Council and ratify certain key decisions related to the 2027 General Election.”

The chairman said the party was prioritising the composition of the council to ensure that members were suitable for the responsibilities they would be given.

“It is better to get it right. It is a sensitive election that we are going into. And we must check characters,” he said. 

Cleopas also dismissed suggestions that the party had been inactive since unveiling Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso as its presidential and vice-presidential candidates.

He said party leaders had continued consultations and town hall meetings, citing recent engagements in Sokoto and Kaduna and a planned visit to Enugu on October 15.

“We have been in Sokoto, we have been in Kaduna, on the 15th, we shall be in Enugu. So it is not to mean that we have not been working,” he said.

On the party’s presidential ticket, Cleopas said the leadership, including National Leader Seriake Dickson and members of the National Working Committee and 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 representative of Nigeria’s religious, ethnic and generational diversity.

The NDC chairman also vowed that the party would challenge any alleged attempts to manipulate the electoral process before, during and after the 2027 elections.

“We shall match the APC fire-for-fire before, during and after the election until May 29, 2027, when, by the grace of God, the NDC Presidential candidate and the other candidates of our great party shall be inaugurated in the country,” he said.