The Nigerian Democratic Congress has denied suggestions that its leadership is divided over the presidential ticket of Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, announcing October 20 as the date for the inauguration of its campaign council.
National chairman Moses Cleopas addressed the issue in Abuja after a two day meeting of the party’s National Working Committee. He said the leadership at national, state and local levels remained united behind Obi as presidential candidate and Kwankwaso as running mate.
Cleopas specifically rejected claims that the party’s national leader, Henry Seriake Dickson, was working against the ticket. According to him, Dickson’s decision not to pursue the party’s presidential nomination demonstrated support for its chosen direction rather than an intention to negotiate with the ruling All Progressives Congress.
The chairman said the campaign council’s structure had been under consideration since August, but the party wanted to complete consultations with both candidates and assess proposed appointees before making final selections. He maintained that speed should not come at the expense of loyalty and organizational discipline.
The October 20 programme is also expected to include a National Executive Council meeting, the presentation of certificates to candidates and an event intended to strengthen cooperation among aspirants and party officials. Cleopas referred to consultations already held in Rivers, Sokoto and Kaduna, with a further engagement planned for Enugu on October 15.
On internal tensions in Adamawa State, he said the leadership would seek to reconcile former Secretary to the Government of the Federation Babachir Lawal and the party’s governorship candidate, Aishatu Binani. He pledged to meet both figures and prevent local disagreements from weakening election preparations.
Cleopas also disclosed that the party had begun planning the recruitment of polling agents. He said the NDC wanted agents ready well before the Independent National Electoral Commission’s deadlines and would train supporters to follow lawful procedures for monitoring votes and collation.
He urged voters to remain attentive after casting their ballots and to ensure that figures announced at polling units corresponded with votes counted. The party’s confidence in its electoral prospects, he added, had to be matched by effective and lawful protection of the process.
