NDC Raises N8.529bn From Forms, Dues, Spends N2.402bn

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has generated N8.529 billion from nomination forms, membership dues, levies and supporters’ contributions since its formation about seven months ago.

The party spent N2.402 billion on activities, including primaries, publicity, staff salaries and other administrative expenses within the period.

The National Treasurer, Dr Peter Onigah, disclosed the figures while presenting the party’s statement of account at its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja on Monday.

The meeting attracted the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi; his running mate, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso; National Leader, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson; and members of the National Working Committee.

Other attendees included former Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege, Senators Victor Umeh and Tony Nwoye, former Ebonyi State Governor Sam Egwu, and former All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in Adamawa State, Aisha Binani. Zonal officials and state chairmen also attended.

The party said the disclosure reflected its commitment to accountability and challenged other political parties to make their financial records available for public scrutiny.

National Chairman Senator Moses Cleopas said the party released the figures before its first anniversary to inform members about how the leadership managed their common resources.

He dismissed suggestions that the disclosure followed allegations on social media, explaining that the party wanted to demonstrate accountability before the statutory deadline for submitting its audited accounts.

“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,” he said.

Cleopas said the party would submit its duly audited accounts to the appropriate institutions when required. He added that the early disclosure reflected its determination to make accountability a central principle of its administration.

Senator Umeh, who represents Anambra Central and sits on the NEC, welcomed the move, describing transparency as essential to earning public confidence.

“Because there is no way to be transparent except by demonstrating it,” he said.

Umeh said the presentation had helped members understand the party’s financial position instead of relying on speculation.

“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.

The senator also urged the national leadership to remit an appropriate percentage of funds generated by state chapters to enable them to establish offices and strengthen their operations.

He argued that adequate funding would improve the party’s visibility and help state structures carry out their responsibilities effectively.

Responding, Cleopas said the national leadership had already considered the allocation of resources to state chapters. He assured members that the states would receive their rightful share in line with the party’s constitution and objectives.

The chairman also clarified that Obi’s call for accountability was not directed specifically at the NDC leadership. Rather, he said, the presidential candidate was challenging those entrusted with managing Nigeria’s resources to explain how they had used public funds.

“The question is, let them come and tell us what they have used our money, Nigeria’s money, to do, and explain to us how it has been beneficial to the citizens of this country,” Cleopas said.

He added that public officials must remain accountable to citizens whenever they manage public funds.

On efforts to resolve internal disputes, Cleopas told the NEC that the party’s reconciliation committee had visited the geopolitical zones to engage aggrieved aspirants.

He said regular meetings at the national secretariat had also helped address disagreements and strengthen unity among members.

The chairman urged members to set aside their differences and support all NDC candidates in the 2027 elections, from the presidential contest to other elective positions.

“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,” he said.

Cleopas expressed confidence that the party would win the 2027 presidential election, predicting victory for Obi and Kwankwaso as president and vice-president respectively.