ADC, NDC explain delay in unveiling presidential campaign councils

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) have attributed the delay in unveiling their presidential campaign councils to ongoing consultations with relevant stakeholders regarding the composition of these structures. The opposition parties, fielding Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Mr Peter Obi respectively, have refuted claims that financial constraints are the reason for the postponement.

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Can you show me the deadline set by INEC for parties to constitute their campaign councils within a given time frame? There is no stipulated deadline so we will announce our campaign council when we are ready.

Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC National Publicity Secretary, stated in an interview that the party is not facing funding issues. He emphasized that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has not set a deadline for parties to assemble their campaign teams, and the presidential election is still many months away. "Can you show me the deadline set by INEC for parties to constitute their campaign councils within a given time frame? There is no stipulated deadline so we will announce our campaign council when we are ready," Abdullahi said.

He further dismissed the notion of a "cash crunch," calling it "idle talk" and a product of the imagination of those spreading it. "So it’s idle talk for anyone to say that the ADC can’t fund their presidential campaign. The election is six months away and nobody runs a campaign for six months. In any case what is their business with when and how the ADC runs its campaign," he added.

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So it’s idle talk for anyone to say that the ADC can’t fund their presidential campaign. The election is six months away and nobody runs a campaign for six months.

Similarly, Osa Director, the NDC National Publicity Secretary, rejected allegations of financial difficulties in a separate telephone interview. Director asserted that the NDC is under no obligation to match the pace of other parties, such as the APC, in forming its campaign council. "We don’t owe the APC any explanation so let them face their own business," he stated.

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We don’t owe the APC any explanation so let them face their own business.

Director also assured that the NDC's presidential campaign is not threatened by any cash crunch. "The NDC presidential campaign is not threatened by cash crush as they are making you believe. We are going to announce our campaign council after due consultation with all stakeholders," he said. He criticized those attempting to "harass and stampede" other parties, suggesting they have "stolen enough public money for the election" but that the NDC is undeterred. "INEC did not attach a deadline to when parties can announce their campaign councils. We are still within the confines of the Electoral Act so what is the fuss all about. We won’t be stampeded into taking any actions so will announce our presidential campaign council when we are ready," he emphasized.

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The NDC presidential campaign is not threatened by cash crush as they are making you believe. We are going to announce our campaign council after due consultation with all stakeholders.