The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) plans to raise campaign funds through small donations from ordinary Nigerians ahead of the 2027 general election, National Leader Seriake Dickson has said.
Dickson disclosed this during an appearance on Arise News’ Prime Time on Wednesday, saying the party would encourage Nigerians to contribute as little as N1,000 towards its activities.
The former Bayelsa State governor said the initiative was aimed at reducing the influence of wealthy individuals and political financiers who, according to him, could use their financial power to exert undue influence on the country’s democratic process.
He described the NDC as the only political party in Nigeria that was not funded through the government treasury.
“You cannot allow your democracy to be funded by moneybags and billionaires who are now trillionaires using government resources. You will continue to be oppressed,” Dickson said.
He said the party wanted to create a funding model that would give ordinary citizens an opportunity to contribute directly to its political activities.
“So, we have got to help Nigerian poor people, oppressed people, break loose from the oppressors. We want a process by which Nigerians, ordinary Nigerians, can contribute N1,000, N2,000, as it happens all over the world,” he said.
Dickson also disclosed that consultations were ongoing over the composition of the party’s presidential campaign council ahead of the 2027 election.
He said the NDC would announce the council’s membership after the consultations had been concluded, stressing that the party did not want to rush into publishing a list that could later be withdrawn.
“We don’t want to do what the other party in government has done, publishing something and withdrawing it,” he said.
The NDC leader also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and other relevant institutions to ensure that the 2027 elections were conducted freely, fairly and credibly.
According to him, the party would vigorously campaign for every vote and present its case directly to Nigerians.
“We will take our case to the Nigerian people, and every vote will be fought for. Every vote will be contested,” Dickson said.
His comments came a day after the NDC rejected allegations of illegal payments linked to its candidate selection process.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, had accused unnamed “disgruntled elements” of spreading what he described as deliberate misinformation and propaganda over the NDC’s candidate selection and funding arrangements.
Director also denied claims that Dickson demanded or received money from aspirants during the process.
