2027: NDC Intensifies Preparations As APC-PCC Says Tinubu’s Re-election Is Done Deal

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has stepped up preparations for the 2027 general elections with the inauguration of its new national secretariat in Abuja and the National Presidential Campaign Council, as well as the presentation of certificates of return to candidates contesting on its platform.

These events followed the party’s Third National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, which culminated in

a dinner in Abuja where the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, pledged to wage an uncompromising war against corruption and tackle insecurity, poverty, unemployment and the rising cost of living.

He promised that Nigerians would see measurable improvements in governance from the first day of an NDC administration, saying Nigeria needed a fundamental change in leadership and public resource management, insisting that government must focus on solving problems rather than blaming political opponents or previous administrations.

The National Chairman of NDC, Senator Moses Cleopas, challenged the party’s candidates to regard nominations as a responsibility to the electorate, insisting the NDC would not tolerate unfulfilled promises.

At the unveiling, NDC National Leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, described the facility as the party’s “Noah’s Ark,” presenting it as a unifying centre as the party prepares for the 2027 elections.

Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council ( APC-PCC) has vowed to convince Nigerians to re-elect President Bola Tinubu in the January 2027 Presidential election.

Director-General of the APC-PCC, Senator Abdulaziz Yari Senator Yari stated this while speaking with journalists in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, where he has joined President Tinubu along with other eminent Nigerians to perform the Muslim lesser Hajj, Umrah.

The former Zamfara state governor reaffirmed the commitment of the APC-PCC to secure the buy-in of the Nigerian electorate for the president’s second-term aspiration.

Yari noted that President Tinubu’s faith in God, his record of performance and the capacity of the campaign organisations to win the hearts of the electorate would swing votes for Tinubu and ultimately secure his victory.

Relatedly, APC released a supplementary list of leadership and membership of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu/APC 2027 Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), expanding the composition of the Council ahead of the 2027 general election.

APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka in a statement, said the supplementary list contains additional appointments of leaders and members across various directorates, sectoral groups, mobilisation structures and operational units of the council.

In the new list, former Nasarawa State Governor, Tanko Al-Maku,ra, and two former governors of Jigawa State, Ali Sa’ad and Saminu Tura, ki were named Advisers to the Chairman of the P, – President Tinubu, but former Governor

Yahaya Bello of Kogi State is Director I, Directorate of Contact and Mobilisation of the council.

Also former Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, ai and Inspector General of Police, Mike Okiro, alongside ex- military governor of Katsina State, Maj. Gen. Laurence Onoja (Rtd), Maj. Gen. Lawrence Fejokwu(Rtd), General Ahmed Jibrin(Rtd), Deputy Inspector General of Police Bala Chiroma (Rt,d) and Commodore Folusho Daniel(Rtd) a   appointed members of the Directorate of Security and intelligence in the council while the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo is Director, Directorate of Air Transport Mobilisation of the council.

On the other hand, the Federal High Court in Abuja sacked Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, ma as the Imo West senatorial candidate of the APC for the 2027 general election and replaced him with former Governor Rochas Okorocha.

In judgment, the presiding Judge, Obiora Egwua,tu ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to publish the name of Okorocha, ha who was previously elected to represent the district in the Senate, te as the validly nominated candidate of the APC for next year’s senatorial election.

Okorocha hailed the judgment, declaring that justice has finally been served and expressed satisfaction with the outcome, alleging that the process that produced Uzodimma as the party’s candidate was similar to an election in which results were manipulated.

The former governor commended the Nigerian judiciary, stressing that the judgment demonstrated the importance of the courts in resolving disputes over electoral processes and political party nominations.

However, the APC in Imo State maintained that Governor Uzodimma remains its candidate for the Imo West Senatorial District seat in the 2027 general elections, despite the Federal High Court ruling declaring former Governor Rochas Okorocha the winner of the party’s primary.

The party made its position known in a statement issued by its state Publicity Secretary, Onwuasoanya FCC Jones, following reports that the court had removed Uzodimma as the APC’s senatorial candidate and directed the party to recognise Okorocha.

The Imo APC insisted that Uzodimma secured the nomination with the support of the majority of party members who participated in the primary election.

In another development, the House of Representatives invited the Chairman of INC, Prof. Joash Amupitto, to appear before its Committee on Electoral Matters within the next seven legislative days and brief the panel on the commission’s preparedness for the 2027 general election.

The briefing will cover Continuous Voter Registration(PVC) management, election logistics, technology deployment (Band IReVeVev), personnel training, electoral security, risk assessment strategies, budget implementation,tion and insights from the Ekiti State governorship election; provide a detailed status report regarding the national election readiness, including the progress of continuous voter registration, the status of PVC production and distribution, and the readiness of election technology and logistics.

He is to equally give lawmakers details of mapping of challenging areas, recruitment and training status of election officials, LS, and budgetary

appropriations, funds released, outstanding releases, and the implications of any funding gaps on the implementation timeline.

These resolutions followed the adoption of an amendment to a motion sponsored by the Minority Whip, Hon. Mansur Manu Soro(APM, Bauchi), and Deputy Minority Leader, Hon. Abdussamad Dasuki(ADC, Sokoto).

Presenting the motion, Soro expressed concern that any delay in addressing existing operational gaps in voter registration, logistics, technology deployment, and funding may adversely affect public confidence in the electoral process and compromise the peaceful conduct of the election.