The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) says it will not immediately commence full-scale campaigns for the 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections despite the lifting of the ban on campaign activities.
The party said it would adopt a strategic and stakeholder-driven approach, stressing that the lifting of the ban did not require political parties to begin intensive campaigns immediately.
The NDC National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, stated this while responding to questions on the party’s preparedness for the 2027 campaign season.
Director said the party was fully prepared to conduct an effective campaign driven by engagement with stakeholders, but noted that the presidential election was still about five months away.
He said the party would deploy its time and resources strategically to ensure its message resonates with Nigerians ahead of the elections.
“The NDC is ready to run an effective and efficient campaign that is stakeholders-driven. However, the fact that the ban on campaign activities is lifted does not automatically translate to political parties commencing their campaigns the same day.
“The presidential election is about five months away. Therefore, we need to be strategic and impactful with our campaign strategies,” he said.
Director also criticised what he described as unreasonable increases in billboard prices by some state governments, warning that the development could restrict political expression and limit the space available to opposition parties during the campaign.
He urged the affected state governments to reverse the increases, describing the practice as undemocratic and politically unacceptable.
“We condemn the unreasonable hike in prices for billboards by some states. It is undemocratic and amounts to constricting the space for free expression.
“The state governments involved in such unwholesome and politically abominable practices should reverse themselves immediately. What are they afraid of?” he asked.
The NDC spokesman assured the party’s candidates that they would receive the necessary support to run effective campaigns.
He said the party was determined to adopt a different approach to politics and that Nigerians would see a clear distinction between the NDC and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“We will give our candidates all the necessary support to succeed. NDC will play politics of no longer business as usual.
“Nigerians should watch out, and they will soon notice that we are different and the preferred party to rescue Nigeria from its present mess inflicted on it by the moribund APC government,” he alleged.
