NDC Allows Peter Obi and Kwankwaso to Choose Campaign Team

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has let its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, pick leaders for the party’s Presidential Campaign Council (PCC).

NDC spokesperson, Osa Director, shared this news in a statement on the party’s Facebook page on Tuesday. This announcement comes amid disagreements with members of the OK Movement.

The OK Movement, which stands for Obi-Kwankwaso Movement, is among the independent groups rallying support for Obi and Kwankwaso as the 2027 election approaches.

Mr Director mentioned in the statement that Obi and Kwankwaso held “several productive meetings” with the NDC's National Leader, Seriake Dickson, and the party's leadership about forming the PCC.

He noted that the NDC decided to let the presidential candidate and his running mate choose the PCC’s director-general, the deputy director-general (North), spokesperson, deputy spokesperson, and the head of new media.

The party also allows them to nominate the PCC’s finance director, deputy finance director, and “several others in consultation with the party.”

“The party leadership has given a free hand to the presidential candidate and his running mate to make nominations,” he explained.

He added that the party wants to “ensure inclusiveness, cohesion, and victory” with this decision.

The inauguration of the PCC was planned for the first week of September but was postponed due to the travel plans of the presidential candidate. A new date for the inauguration was not provided.

Mr Director said the NDC also decided that the finance director and his deputy, with the party’s national treasurer, will handle all campaign funds. This is to maintain transparency and accountability.

The spokesperson explained that this decision is important because the party must report its finances to the Independent National Electoral Commission according to the Electoral Act 2026.

He added that the NDC's structure for the campaign has been ready since August and was shared with Obi and Kwankwaso for their feedback. The party also received nominations from other stakeholders across Nigeria.

“The party wants to assure the public that as soon as we receive the inputs of our presidential candidate and his vice, the NDC shall proceed to announce and inaugurate the same,” he said about the party’s structure.

He stressed that the NDC had planned to release a campaign timetable since August but delayed it to finalize funding arrangements for the campaign, led by the candidates.

“The money raised will go into the presidential campaign account, managed by officers chosen by the presidential candidate and his running mate, along with the party's national treasurer,” he said.

Mr Director urged NDC candidates at all levels to tell their supporters and groups to concentrate on winning elections.

“There are no battles to fight within the NDC. The common opponent to defeat is the ruling APC. We are committed as a party.

“The party has done its own and is ready to do more. The candidates and their supporters are encouraged to do the same,” he stated.

“Our candidates should keep their eyes on the ball and focus on winning.”

Mr Director also said that the NDC has instructed all chairmen of the party at state and local government levels to hold meetings with candidates and relevant stakeholders in their states. This is to gather and finalize the list of party agents for the upcoming general elections.

The spokesperson said the chairmen were told to create a “comprehensive list of two sets of party agents, one for national assembly elections and another for governorship and state assembly elections.”

“These party agents will be carefully checked and approved by the party’s leadership, including the presidential candidate and his running mate, before training starts,” he said.

This latest update comes just 72 hours after a confrontation between NDC leadership and OK Movement members about forming the PCC for the 2027 election.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that last Thursday, the OK Movement set up a 59-member PCC to gather support for Obi and Kwankwaso ahead of the 2027 election.

The support group claimed its PCC would work independently of the one set to be inaugurated by the NDC.

But the NDC rejected the support group’s actions on Saturday, saying the party would soon announce its PCC for the 2027 election.

The NDC warned that the support group's actions could harm the party.

In response, the support group insisted that it does not need any personal approval from anyone in the party to exercise its organizational functions according to established processes.