The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) says it will inaugurate its Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) on October 20.

The party’s national chairman, Moses Cleopas, disclosed this at a news conference in Abuja on Saturday.

He said the activities were part of efforts to prepare the party for next generation elections.

Mr Cleopas explained that the National Working Committee (NWC) developed the PCC structure and submitted it for consultation with the party’s presidential and vice-presidential candidates.

According to him, the consultations are aimed at ensuring that key appointments reflect the experience, contributions and expectations of the candidates who will lead the party’s presidential campaign.

He listed some of the key positions under consideration as director-general, deputy director-general, finance director, director of mobilisation and spokesperson.

The chairman said the party was taking time to make appropriate appointments to avoid disagreements that could disrupt its campaigns.

He added that the party had continued preparations for the 2027 elections despite public concerns about the timing of the PCC inauguration.

Mr Cleopas said the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi and vice-presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, had been engaging Nigerians through consultations and town hall meetings.

He cited engagements in Rivers, Sokoto and Kaduna, adding that another town hall meeting was scheduled to be held in Enugu on October 15.

The NDC chairman also said the party had begun preparations to deploy polling agents, with its state structures already activated.

He said the initiative was designed to address challenges associated with election-day representation and strengthen the party’s capacity to protect votes during the 2027 elections.

According to him, the party is working with its senatorial, House of Representatives, governorship and state assembly candidates to identify and prepare agents for their respective constituencies.

Mr Cleopas stressed that vote protection must begin with voter awareness, urging Nigerians to remain vigilant after casting their ballots and ensure that their votes were properly recorded and counted.

He also cautioned support groups against interfering in party administration, stressing that the responsibility rests with constitutionally recognised party structures.

Mr Cleopas said the party welcomed support groups, including the OK Movement and the Obidient Movement, but urged them to operate within their assigned roles to avoid unnecessary friction.

He said support groups were essential to electoral mobilisation but had no authority to manage the party or independently perform the functions of its Presidential Campaign Council (PCC).

“We are not against the Obidient Movement. We recognise its relevance, we need it, we value it, and we regard its members as our friends,” he said.

(NAN)