The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has scheduled October 20 for the inauguration of its Presidential Campaign Council as preparations intensify for the 2027 general elections.
The party’s National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas, announced the date during a press briefing in Abuja on Saturday, assuring Nigerians that the party remained united behind its presidential and vice-presidential candidates, Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso.
Cleopas explained that the inauguration would take place during a meeting of the party’s National Executive Committee, which would also consider and approve key decisions concerning its electoral preparations.
He added that the party would present Certificates of Return to its candidates and organise a dinner to promote unity and cooperation among members ahead of the elections.
Dismissing claims that the NDC was not serious about participating in the polls, the chairman described such suggestions as an indication of concern within the ruling party.
“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.
According to him, the party is taking time to ensure that the right individuals are appointed to the campaign council, given the importance of the forthcoming elections.
“It is better to get it right. It is a sensitive election that we are going into. And we must check characters,” Cleopas added.
The NDC chairman also rejected claims that the party had been inactive since announcing Obi and Kwankwaso as its presidential and vice-presidential candidates.
He said the party leadership had continued to engage stakeholders and hold consultations across the country, pointing to recent activities in Sokoto and Kaduna states.
Cleopas disclosed that the party would visit Enugu State on October 15 as part of its ongoing political engagements.
“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, the national chairman reaffirmed the leadership’s support for Obi and Kwankwaso, noting that they had the mandate to lead the party into the 2027 contest.
He said the party’s National Leader, Seriake Dickson, alongside members of the National Working Committee and the National Executive Committee, remained committed to the joint ticket.
“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 stated.
Cleopas further described the ticket as a reflection of Nigeria’s religious, ethnic and generational diversity.
He also vowed that the NDC would resist any alleged attempts to manipulate the electoral process before, during and after the 2027 general 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.
