The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has announced plans to unveil its National Campaign Council and present Certificates of Return to its candidates during its third National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for Monday, October 26, 2026, in Abuja.
The meeting will also feature the presentation of the party’s Statement of Account by its National Treasurer, an exercise the leadership says is intended to demonstrate its commitment to transparency and accountability in managing party finances.
The announcement was contained in a statement issued on Saturday by the NDC National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, who disclosed that the gathering would provide an opportunity for the party to address questions surrounding its finances, introduce its campaign structure and formally recognise its candidates for various political offices.
According to the statement, the meeting will commence at 10 a.m. at JD Event Centre, Kashim Ibrahim Way, opposite A-Class Park, Maitama, Abuja.
The party’s announcement comes as it outlines its organisational arrangements and preparations for its participation in Nigeria’s political process.
NDC explains decision to issue free expression of interest forms
The NDC has attributed its financial limitations partly to the economic difficulties facing Nigerians, claiming that approximately 80 per cent of its candidates were unable to afford the Expression of Interest forms required for their political aspirations.
The party explained that it consequently decided to provide the forms to the affected candidates without charge, allowing them to participate in its candidate selection process despite their financial constraints.
According to the leadership, its financial position would have been stronger if more candidates had been able to pay for the forms.
However, it argued that widespread poverty, hunger and economic hardship had made it difficult for many aspirants to meet the financial requirements.
The party blamed the situation on the economic policies of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), criticising the Federal Government’s handling of the country’s economic challenges.
The NDC maintained that the decision to distribute the forms free of charge was a response to the circumstances facing its candidates rather than an indication of the financial situation suggested by public speculation.
However, the party did not disclose the total number of candidates who benefited from the arrangement, the cost of the forms or the precise financial implications of waiving the fees.
The claim that 80 per cent of its candidates could not afford the forms was also not accompanied by supporting figures in the statement.
Party to present statement of account
Financial accountability will be another major issue at Monday’s NEC meeting, with the National Treasurer expected to present the party’s Statement of Account.
The NDC said the decision reflects its position that political organisations should demonstrate openness in the management of their resources and make relevant financial information available to their leadership.
It also called on other political parties, particularly the APC, to embrace similar practices by providing greater transparency regarding their finances.
The party argued that openness in financial administration should form part of the standards expected of political organisations operating in a democratic system.
“For the NDC, it is no longer politics as usual,” the statement declared.
Although the announcement did not provide details of the accounts to be presented, the disclosure is expected to form a central part of the discussions at the meeting.
The party’s decision to highlight financial transparency alongside its explanation of the free forms suggests that it intends to address public questions about its financial capacity and demonstrate how it manages its available resources.
Whether the presentation will include a detailed breakdown of income, expenditure and other financial transactions was not specified in the statement.
National campaign council to cover federal and state elections
The NDC will also use the meeting to introduce its National Campaign Council (NCC), which it described as a comprehensive structure covering different levels of political contests.
According to the party, the council will incorporate campaign structures for the presidential election, National Assembly elections, governorship contests and State Houses of Assembly elections.
The proposed arrangement is intended to provide a framework for coordinating campaign activities across the various offices the party intends to contest.
By bringing the different campaign structures under a broader national arrangement, the NDC appears to be preparing an organisational framework for its political activities at both federal and state levels.
However, the party did not announce the names of those expected to serve on the council or provide details of the responsibilities assigned to individual members.
Further information about the composition and operational structure of the campaign council may emerge during or after the NEC meeting.
The unveiling will nevertheless provide an opportunity for the party leadership to formally introduce the structure it intends to use in coordinating its campaign activities.
Candidates to receive certificates of return
Another item on the agenda is the presentation of Certificates of Return to the party’s candidates for their respective offices.
The NDC said candidates would receive the documents as part of the activities planned for the meeting, although it did not specify the total number of beneficiaries.
It also did not provide a breakdown of the candidates expected to receive certificates for presidential, legislative, governorship or state assembly positions.
The presentation is expected to bring together the party’s leadership and candidates as the organisation continues its preparations for future electoral contests.
Alongside the financial disclosure and campaign council unveiling, the exercise will be one of the principal activities scheduled for Monday’s gathering.
The party has not indicated whether additional announcements concerning its candidates or campaign arrangements will be made during the meeting.
NDC Reaffirms Commitment to National Development
In the statement, the party expressed confidence in its readiness to pursue its political objectives and provide what it described as selfless leadership for Nigerians.
It said it was prepared to strengthen its organisational activities and work towards addressing the country’s challenges.
The NDC also reiterated its message of national renewal, declaring that a better Nigeria was achievable through collective effort.
“A New Nigeria is Possible. We can do it!” the statement added.
The party’s third NEC meeting is expected to bring together its leadership at a time when it is seeking to establish its campaign structure, clarify its financial position and formalise the recognition of its candidates.
The outcome of the gathering, including any additional information on the party’s finances and the composition of its National Campaign Council, could provide further insight into its organisational plans.
For now, the NDC has identified transparency, campaign coordination and candidate recognition as the major issues to be addressed at the meeting scheduled to take place in Maitama, Abuja, on October 26.
About The Author
