Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), will co-chair the party’s national campaign council for the 2027 general elections.
The NDC released the list on Sunday through its X handle.
Obi is a former governor of Anambra State and ran for president in 2023.
His running mate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, a former governor of Kano State, is co-vice chairman.
Senator Seriake Dickson, the NDC National Leader and a former governor of Bayelsa State, is chairman.
The party’s National Chairman, Senator Cleopas Zuwoghe, is vice chairman.
Ikenna Enekweizu, the NDC National Secretary, is council secretary.
Ibrahim Abdulkarim is Director-General (DG) of the Presidential Campaign.
Babachir Lawal, a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, will sit on the National Campaign Advisory Council.
Omo-Agege is a former Deputy Senate President, and Galadima is a former national secretary of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC).
The list also names Sidi Abdul, Babatunde Alli, <a href=”https://joliba.com.ng/2024/06/10/tinubu-cant-blame-buhari-he-promised-to-build-on-his-policies-buba-galadima/” target=”_self” rel=”noopener noreferrer”>Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, Senator Victor Umeh, Buba Galadima, Yakubu Ochefu, Mahmud Jahun, Moshood Salvador, Mrs. Dudu Manuga, Victor Ogene and Muktar Usman.
Advisers, Coordinators And Directors
The party said the council will work under Dickson, with Obi and Kwankwaso as co-chairman and co-vice chairman.
The council also has a 40-member advisory body and 37 state campaign coordinators, one for each state and the Federal Capital Territory.
Osa Director, the party's National Publicity Secretary, is Director of Communication and Media.
Major General John Enenche (retd.), a former defence spokesperson, is Director of Security and Intelligence.
In its statement, the party said the council would give the campaign direction.
“The National Campaign Council will provide strategic leadership, coordinate campaign activities across the country, and drive the mobilisation of Nigerians behind the party’s vision of a new, just, and prosperous Nigeria,” it said.
The NDC added that the council will run “a people-centred and issue-based campaign”.
“We call on all party members, supporters, and well-meaning Nigerians to remain united and focused as we work together to rescue our country,” it said.
OK Movement Questions Party’s Readiness
However, the announcement drew a sharp reply on Monday.
The Obi-Kwankwaso (OK) Movement criticised the timing of the list and doubted the party’s grassroots strength.
Its Director-General, John Ughulu, spoke in a statement made available to journalists in Abuja.
He said the party had delayed setting up its campaign machinery.
Ughulu also said the NDC lacked the network needed to run a nationwide election.
He added that the movement had built a stronger structure.
“The funny part of this list is that 90% of the people on it will still come knocking on the doors of the OK Movement to beg for the very structure they have failed to build themselves!” he said.
He then asked the party’s leaders to explain the delay.
“With less than three months to the general elections, they are only just announcing their Presidential Campaign Council. What exactly have they been doing all this time? Where is the structure? Where is the strategy? Where is the machinery required to prosecute a serious national election?” he asked.
Dispute Over Role And Independence
Meanwhile, the criticism comes amid a growing quarrel between the NDC and the OK Movement.
The dispute is over the movement’s independence and its role in the campaign for Obi and Kwankwaso.
Ughulu and the movement’s state, local government and ward coordinators were not on the list.
The party is expected to inaugurate the council in the Federal Capital Territory.
Ughulu made the statement a day after the NDC announced the council.
Pat Utomi, a former presidential candidate, is also among the appointees.
The movement’s coordinators in the states and wards were not named.
The movement was set up to back Obi and Kwankwaso.
