…Party insists it has met constitutional obligations despite being established this year
The National Chairman of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Sen. Moses Cleopas Zuwoghe, has declared that the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and its vice-presidential candidate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, will emerge as President and Vice-President of Nigeria in the 2027 general election.
The chairman expressed confidence that the party would secure victory through what he described as the legitimate and overwhelming popular votes of Nigerians.
He made the declaration while addressing members of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) at its 3rd meeting in Abuja, where he described the NDC as a rescue platform established to change the country’s political direction.
“We are succeeding. We are taking over government. We are forming government. Peter Obi is the next president of this country. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso is the next vice-president of this country,” he said.
The chairman added that the party was confident of its electoral prospects, insisting that it had the support required to win the forthcoming presidential election.
According to him, the NDC’s mission is to rescue Nigeria from its current challenges, urging party members to remain committed to the project rather than entertain doubts about its chances.
“This is not the time for doubters. This is not the time for people to say, ‘Will we succeed?’ No. We are succeeding,” he declared.
Describing the party as a platform for national redemption, the chairman recalled the NDC national leader, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson’s description of the party as an ark of Noah.
He said the biblical symbolism was significant because the story of Noah’s ark was recognised in both the Bible and the Quran.
“Everybody that is on board this ark should know that we are on a rescue mission for our nation. It is either now or never,” he said.
The chairman also expressed satisfaction with the party’s activities since its formation earlier in the year, saying it had continued to meet its constitutional obligations as a political party.
He listed the conduct of congresses and primaries, registration of members and the emergence of its presidential candidate among the activities undertaken by the party.
According to him, the NDC has not fallen short of the constitutional responsibilities expected of political parties, despite the short period since its establishment.
He commended members of the NEC, state chairmen and other party stakeholders for their participation in the meeting, describing their presence as evidence of their commitment to the party’s growth.
The chairman also acknowledged serving and former members of the National Assembly, former governors and other political leaders present at the gathering.
The NDC chairman further disclosed that Dickson and Obi had mandated him to lead a high-powered delegation to Kano to celebrate Kwankwaso’s 70th birthday.
He described the former Kano State governor as a major figure in the party’s leadership and a key participant in its political project.
On behalf of the NEC, the party’s organs, members, supporters, sponsors and candidates, the chairman congratulated Kwankwaso on attaining the milestone.
“On behalf of NEC, on behalf of all the organs of this party, members, supporters, sponsors and candidates, we wish you a happy, happy 70th birthday,” he said.
Kwankwaso, a former governor of Kano State and former Minister of Defence, is the NDC’s vice-presidential candidate for the 2027 election.
The chairman said the party would continue with its deliberations and other activities as it prepared for the challenges ahead.
He urged members to remain united and committed to the party’s objectives, expressing confidence that the NDC would provide Nigerians with an alternative political direction in 2027.
