Nigeria’s opposition party, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), moved its National Campaign Council unveiling and inauguration from Tuesday, Oct. 20, to Monday, Oct. 26, citing an overseas engagement on presidential candidate Peter Obi’s schedule.
The party attributed the change to Obi’s schedule in a statement issued Oct. 19 by National Publicity Secretary Osa Director. Vanguard reproduced the statement, which apologized for the inconvenience and gave no time or venue for the event.
The council is part of the NDC’s preparations for the 2027 general election. The party affirmed Obi as its presidential candidate and vice-presidential candidate Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso as his running mate at a May 30 convention. EconoTimes previously covered the NDC’s Obi-Kwankwaso ticket.
The NDC had prepared a council structure in August, Channels Television reported. In September, the OK Movement, a support group for the candidates, announced a separate 59-member slate. The NDC disowned the list, saying party leadership had not issued it and that only party leaders could establish the presidential campaign council.
After the dispute, the party said Obi and Kwankwaso could nominate officials for senior campaign posts, including director-general and finance director. At an Oct. 10 briefing, NDC National Chairman Moses Cleopas said leaders were consulting both candidates and wanted officials whose loyalty would last through the election period, The Guardian reported.
Channels Television reported that the party had also postponed an earlier September inauguration target because of Obi’s travel schedule. The next announced campaign council event is set for Oct. 26.
