By Nkechi Eze
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) says it will soon inaugurate its Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) as consultations continue with its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, his running mate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and other stakeholders.
According to an official statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary of the NDC, Osa Director, the party said Obi and Kwankwaso had held several meetings with the National Leader and leadership of the party towards finalising the campaign structure.
The party said the presidential candidate and his running mate had been given the authority to nominate key officials of the PCC, including the Director-General, Deputy Director-General (North), campaign spokesman, Deputy Spokesman, Head of New Media, Finance Director and Deputy Finance Director, in consultation with the party.
It said a full organogram of the campaign structure had been developed since August and made available to Obi and Kwankwaso for their input, while nominations had also been received from other stakeholders across the country.
The NDC explained that the inauguration, initially scheduled for the first week of September, was postponed due to the travel schedule of the presidential candidate.
On campaign financing, the party said the Finance Director and his deputy would work with the National Treasurer to manage campaign funds in line with the principles of transparency and accountability, noting that the party was responsible for rendering accounts to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in accordance with the Electoral Act.
It added that arrangements were also being concluded for campaign funding and fundraising to be spearheaded by the presidential and vice-presidential candidates, with funds raised to be paid into the presidential campaign account.
The party also appealed to its candidates and supporters across the country to avoid internal conflicts and concentrate on winning the forthcoming elections.
“There are no battles to fight within the NDC. The common opponent to defeat is the ruling APC,” the party said, urging its candidates to “keep their eyes on the ball and focus on winning.”
The NDC said it remained committed to ensuring that its candidates at all levels secured victories, stressing that they were contesting under the platform of the party and not as independent candidates.
Meanwhile, the party leadership has directed all State and Local Government Area Chairmen to immediately convene meetings with candidates and relevant stakeholders to collate and harmonise the list of party agents for the forthcoming general elections.
According to the directive, separate lists are to be compiled for agents to be deployed for National Assembly elections and those for governorship and State Assembly elections.
The party said the lists would be scrutinised and ratified by its leadership, including the presidential candidate and his running mate, before training of the agents commences.
It directed that the exercise be concluded and the final lists submitted within two weeks.
The committee responsible for the appointment of party agents is chaired by the Deputy National Chairman (South), Comrade Babatunde Alli, with Vin Martin Ilo as Secretary, while Dr Yunusa Tanko, Nafiu Dankura and the National Vice Chairmen of the six geopolitical zones serve as members.
