By Omoyeni Ojeifo
Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has reviewed its finances, inaugurated its national secretariat and the National Presidential Campaign Council.
The activities, which began with the party’s third National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja, also included the presentation of Certificates of Return to candidates contesting on its platform.
PerSecondNews correspondent reports that the gathering brought together the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi; Vice Presidential Candidate, Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso, National Leader, Sen.Seriake Dickson; National Chairman, Sen. Moses Cleopas Zuwoghe; Sen.Victor Umeh; Rivers State governorship candidate, Dumo Lulu-Briggs; and other party leaders, candidates and supporters.
Obi declared that Nigeria needed a president who would remain available to confront the country’s challenges rather than abandon communities experiencing insecurity.
The presidential candidate pledged to campaign across the country, arguing that political leaders seeking public office must demonstrate their competence and willingness to serve Nigerians in every part of the country.
“If you have competence to serve, you come and campaign. If you have the energy to serve, you come and campaign. We can no longer take it that people are elected and they are not available,” he said.
Obi also pledged to tackle insecurity and reduce the cost of living, insisting that elected leaders must confront the country’s problems rather than avoid them.
“We must create a society where a child of nobody will be somebody without knowing anybody,” he added.
On his part, the party’s National Leader, Sen. Seriake Dickson, described the newly acquired national secretariat as the NDC’s “Noah’s Ark”, presenting it as a unifying centre for members as the party prepares for the 2027 general elections.
Dickson made the remarks during the unveiling of the facility in Jabi, Abuja, where party leaders and members gathered to mark the development ahead of the forthcoming elections.
Earlier, the party’s National Chairman, Sen. Moses Cleopas Zuwoghe, described the gathering as an important milestone in the NDC’s preparations for the elections, saying the party intended to distinguish itself through accountability, unity and innovation.
Cleopas challenged the party’s candidates to regard their nominations as a responsibility to the electorate and warned against making promises they could not fulfil.
“If we fail to bring water for you in two years, if we open our mouths to say, vote for us again, please don’t vote for us,” he said.
The chairman also declared the party’s commitment to its stated political objectives, describing its ambition as a mission to rescue the country.
“We are going for a rescue mission; the hope of this country is in NDC,” he noted.
At the NEC meeting, the party’s National Treasurer, Dr Peter Onigah, presented its financial statement, reporting approximately ₦8.53 billion in total inflows, expenditure of about ₦2.40 billion and a remaining balance of approximately ₦6.13 billion.
Onigah attributed the party’s financial management to the experience of its officials, the guidance of national leaders and the oversight of the National Working Committee (NWC).
He maintained that the party had exercised financial discipline and would provide a detailed breakdown of its transactions as it approaches the end of its first accounting year.
“We have been very prudent. Our chief is made up of technocrats, people who are experienced and people who have different capacities,” he said.
The treasurer also appealed to members and supporters to contribute financially, explaining that the party was still building its structures and had yet to assume control of government at any level.
“As a new party, we don’t have people in government yet. All of us are outside the government. So we need to contribute together and ensure that our party will prevail and achieve the desired objectives,” he emphasized.
In his remarks, Sen. Victor Umeh commended the party’s leadership for presenting its financial statement, describing the remaining balance of more than ₦6 billion as seed money for its future political activities.
Umeh acknowledged that the funds would not be sufficient to meet all the party’s organisational and campaign requirements, noting that additional contributions would be necessary as the 2027 elections approach.
He encouraged members and supporters to contribute towards the party’s financial sustainability and urged its leadership to consider funding arrangements involving state chapters and other stakeholders during election and nomination periods.
PerSecondNews reports that the activities concluded with the presentation of Certificates of Return to the party’s candidates.
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