Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi are stepping up consultations as political parties and candidates prepare campaign structures for the 2027 general elections.
Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, is holding consultations ahead of the announcement of his presidential campaign council.
His aide, Phrank Shaibu, said details of the campaign structure, its leadership and the formal launch would be announced after ongoing consultations are concluded.
“We are aware of the different approaches being adopted by other candidates. His Excellency’s campaign will unveil its own fundraising framework in accordance with the law and at the appropriate time.
“Whatever model is adopted will be transparent, accountable and consistent with applicable campaign-finance regulations,” Shaibu said.
He added that Atiku’s immediate focus was on engaging Nigerians on key issues and presenting his policy alternatives, including his proposed targeted fuel subsidy.
According to Shaibu, the proposed subsidy model would differ from the previous import-subsidy regime and would be transparent and linked to domestic production, with the aim of reducing the burden on Nigerians and ensuring that subsidy “follows the barrel.”
Meanwhile, the National Democratic Congress, whose presidential candidate is Peter Obi, is also consulting on the composition and timetable of its campaign council.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, said the group would meet next weekend to decide on the date and other details of the campaign.
“Of course, you can be certain that people like Prof Pat Utomi, Buba Galadima and Bishop Idahosa will be among the names,” he said.
Director said the campaign planned to take its message to all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
“We want to visit every state; if possible, we might even visit some states twice,” he said.
In a related development, the NDC vice-presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, criticised the composition of the APC presidential campaign council.
Kwankwaso said the structure offered Nigerians an opportunity to assess the choices before them ahead of the 2027 election and questioned the inclusion of senior government officials in the campaign’s fundraising and finance structures.
He argued that the leadership of critical public institutions required neutrality, integrity and public confidence.
Meanwhile, other political parties are also putting their campaign plans in place.
The Labour Party is yet to announce its campaign timetable, while its presidential candidate, Dr Chibuzor Okereke, said the party’s strategy team would determine the date and venue for its campaign launch.
The Young Progressives Party presidential candidate, Prof Peter Agada, has announced September 9 as the date for the formal commencement of his presidential campaign.
Agada said his campaign would begin in Lagos before expanding to other parts of the country, adding that the party’s campaign structure was already being finalised.
The developments come after the Independent National Electoral Commission opened the campaign window for the 2027 general elections, setting the stage for political parties and candidates to intensify mobilisation and unveil their campaign structures ahead of the presidential poll.
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