By Davidson Ogbebor

ABUJA — The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has unveiled its 118-member National Campaign Council ahead of the 2027 general elections, naming its National Leader, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, as chairman and its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, as co-chairman.

The council, announced on Sunday ahead of its formal inauguration in Abuja on Monday, October 26, is expected to coordinate the party’s campaign activities, mobilise supporters and provide strategic direction for its candidates nationwide.

The party’s vice-presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, was named co-vice-chairman, while the National Chairman, Senator Cleopas Moses Zuwoghe, will serve as vice-chairman of the council.

Mallam Ibrahim Hussain Abdulkarim was appointed Director-General of the campaign council, while the party’s National Secretary, Barrister Ikenna Morgan Enekweizu, will serve as secretary.

Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, was named chairman of the National Campaign Advisory Council, while other members include former Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege, former presidential candidate Pat Utomi and political figure Buba Galadima.

The unveiling marks a significant organisational step for the party as political parties begin consolidating their structures ahead of the 2027 presidential and general elections.

According to the party, the campaign council is expected to drive a people-centred and issue-based campaign, coordinate activities across the country and mobilise Nigerians around its vision of a new Nigeria.

The inauguration forms part of a broader programme of activities scheduled for Abuja on Monday, including a meeting of the party’s National Executive Committee, the commissioning of its newly acquired national secretariat in Jabi, and the presentation of Certificates of Return to its candidates.

The programme is scheduled to begin with the NEC meeting at 10 a.m. at the JD Vance Centre in Maitama. The new secretariat is billed for commissioning at 2 p.m., while the campaign council’s inauguration and presentation of certificates to candidates are scheduled for 5 p.m.

The party said attendance at the NEC meeting would be restricted to invited committee members, while the campaign council inauguration would involve members of the National Working Committee, the presidential and vice-presidential candidates, governorship candidates and National Assembly candidates.

The campaign council’s effectiveness will depend on how well it coordinates the party’s national leadership, state structures and candidates, particularly in translating its stated objectives into clear policy proposals and sustained engagement with voters.

With the 2027 elections approaching, the NDC faces the task of building a coordinated nationwide campaign capable of communicating its programme to Nigerians while addressing issues of governance, economic development, security and public accountability.