…says party set to take over Presidency
By Myke Uzendu, Abuja
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has declared a surplus of N6.127 billion from its financial operations since its formation about seven months ago, following the generation of N8.529 billion from the sale of nomination forms, payment of dues and levies, and contributions from supporters.
The party also said it has a formidable squad in Peter Obi and Musa Kwankwaso who are the best candidates to win the election and with the capacity to revive the economy.
The party disclosed that it spent N2.402 billion on party activities, including primaries, publicity, staff salaries and other operational expenses.
The financial statement was presented by the National Treasurer, Dr Peter Onigah, at the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja on Monday.
The party said the disclosure was part of its commitment to accountability and transparency in the management of public and party resources, challenging other political parties to open their financial records to public scrutiny.
Explaining the rationale behind the disclosure, the party’s leadership said members deserved to know how the organisation’s common resources were being managed, even though the party was yet to complete its first year.
“We are not up to one year. That will be after our presidential elections. But just because of what we are coming out from, we, the managers of the party, feel that in a network like this, even as we are not going into details, people must know what we are and how we are functioning and how we are managing.
“It is therefore the right and opportunity of every individual member to hear and to know what we are doing with our common resources,” the party said.
The leadership added that properly audited accounts would be submitted to the constitutionally authorised institutions when due, stressing that the financial disclosure was intended to establish accountability as a defining principle of the party’s administration.
Reacting to the presentation, Senator Victor Umeh, who represents Anambra Central and is a member of the NEC, described the move as an important demonstration of transparency capable of strengthening public confidence in the party.
“Because there is no way to be transparent except by demonstrating it,” Umeh said.
He added that the disclosure had given members a clearer understanding of the party’s financial position, rather than leaving them to rely on speculation about its income and expenditure.
“From what we have been told here, I am so happy that going home I now know that what people say undercover may not have any basis. Because the party has now told us how much they got as inflow within the period under consideration and how much they have spent in running the affairs of the party within the period, though with details to be given when the proper accounting is done,” he said.
Umeh’s remarks came as the party’s leadership urged members to set aside their differences and mobilise support for all NDC candidates, from the presidential ticket to other elective positions.
Addressing the meeting, the party chairman said the NDC was on a mission to rescue Nigeria, insisting that the outcome of the 2027 general election could not be predetermined.
He urged party members to reject doubts about the party’s electoral prospects, declaring that the NDC was confident of securing victory through popular votes.
“We are on a rescue mission for our nation. It is either now or never. And as I said somewhere else, this is not the time for doubters. This is not the time for people to say they have already reached a result, for where? This is not the time for people to say, will we succeed?” he said.
“No. We are succeeding. We are taking over government. We are forming government. Peter Obi is the next president of this country. Rabiu Kwankwaso is the next vice president of this country. How? By legitimately winning popular votes of this country. And we know we have the votes,” he added.
The chairman also commended the party for meeting its constitutional obligations despite being less than a year old.
He listed party congresses, primaries, membership registration and the emergence of its presidential candidate among the activities the party had undertaken since its formation.
According to him, the NDC had not fallen short in any aspect of the constitutional requirements expected of political parties.
“This is a party that is yet to be a year old. This party commenced January, February of this year. We have never missed out in any of the constitutional obligations enshrined for political party operators to perform,” he said.
He described the party as being on a mission to rescue the country and urged members and officials who travelled from different parts of Nigeria to remain committed to its objectives.
The NEC meeting subsequently proceeded with deliberations on the party’s affairs and preparations for the 2027 general election.
The meeting was attended by the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi; vice-presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso; National Leader, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson; members of the National Working Committee and other party leaders.
Those present included former Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege; Senators Victor Umeh and Tony Nwoye; former Ebonyi State Governor Sam Egwu; former All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Adamawa State, Aisha Binani; zonal officials and state chairmen.
