The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has vowed to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) aggressively in the 2027 general elections, announcing October 20 for the inauguration of its Presidential Campaign Council and the presentation of certificates of return to its candidates.

The party’s National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas, disclosed this on Saturday in Abuja after a two-day meeting of the National Working Committee. He said the party was strengthening its campaign structure and preparing its members to compete across all elective positions in the country.

Cleopas said the NDC would match the APC “fire for fire” before, during and after the elections, while insisting that its approach would remain within the law. He also warned against attempts to manipulate the electoral process, declaring that the party was determined to defend its votes and ensure that the will of the electorate prevailed.

The chairman explained that the campaign council’s inauguration had been delayed to allow consultations with the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and his running mate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. He said the leadership wanted to appoint committed officials capable of sustaining a coordinated campaign without internal divisions or conflicting loyalties.

Cleopas also dismissed suggestions that the party was divided over its presidential ticket, insisting that the national, state, local government and ward structures remained behind Obi and Kwankwaso. He defended the role of the party’s National Leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, against allegations that he was working with the APC to undermine the ticket, describing such claims as unfounded.

On election preparations, the NDC chairman said the party had begun recruiting and organising polling agents to monitor voting and protect its results. He urged supporters to remain vigilant at polling units and ensure that votes were properly counted and transmitted, saying the party had drawn lessons from concerns surrounding the 2023 presidential election.

The proposed October 20 event is also expected to feature a dinner aimed at strengthening cooperation among candidates and party leaders. Cleopas expressed confidence in the NDC’s prospects, particularly among young voters, and urged all candidates to work with the party’s established structures rather than run independent campaigns.