2027 Elections: NDC Launches Campaigns, Warns Candidates Against Violence

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has directed all its candidates to commence campaigns for the 2027 general elections, while warning that all campaign activities must be issue-based and free from violence, abusive language and inflammatory rhetoric.

The directive was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, who said the move was in line with the election timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The party directed its presidential candidate, Peter Obi; vice-presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso; and National Assembly candidates to begin local consultations and engagements with constituents and commence their campaign activities.

Governorship and State House of Assembly candidates were also asked to liaise with party stakeholders in their respective constituencies and the NDC National Secretariat in organising their campaigns.

The party said it would soon constitute and inaugurate its various campaign committees ahead of the 2027 elections.

“All candidates for the presidential, National Assembly, governorship and State Assembly elections are to liaise with the various party stakeholders in their localities as well as the National Secretariat to roll out programmes and activities that would not only sell them as candidates, but also further drive home the message of the NDC as a party of the people and the grassroots,” the statement said.

The NDC urged its candidates to begin familiarisation, sensitisation and consultation meetings, while allowing local campaign events to proceed.

“The party will soon release the composition of its campaign organs, which will be announced and inaugurated on a date to be announced.

“We direct all candidates across the country to begin their campaigns. State chapters, local government chapters and down to the wards should organise and draw up itineraries for their own local campaigns,” the statement added.

On the conduct of the campaigns, Director reiterated the party’s position that political contests should focus on issues affecting Nigerians rather than personal attacks or inflammatory rhetoric.

“In keeping with the ideology of NDC, the party reiterates that all campaigns must be issue-based and devoid of violence and foul language. The NDC has no room for violence,” he said.

The party also addressed the status of its logo, explaining that it had modified the logo following consultations with INEC and formally notified the electoral body.

According to Director, some administrative processes were still being resolved before the modified logo could officially replace the existing one.

“For some reasons, however, there have been some administrative details which we’re working round the clock to resolve before the existing logo would be replaced with the modified version,” he said.

He consequently directed candidates and members to continue using the existing logo, represented by the two-finger victory sign, for campaign activities pending the conclusion of discussions with INEC.

“Until then, however, we enjoin all our candidates and members to continue to use the old logo, which is also the two-finger victory sign, for campaign purposes for now, pending the conclusion of all engagements and arrangements with INEC on the replacement,” he added.

The directive effectively marks the beginning of the NDC’s grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections, with the party seeking to position its candidates and political message across the country while emphasising peaceful and issue-driven campaigns.