The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has announced its intention to finance its 2027 general election campaign through contributions primarily sourced from ordinary Nigerians, rather than relying on the traditional model of wealthy individuals and political financiers. This innovative approach aims to mitigate the influence of affluent donors over the country’s democratic processes.
According to the party, citizens will have the opportunity to contribute modest sums, such as ₦1,000 and ₦2,000, towards its campaign. This model is being championed as a means to foster broader participation and ensure that the democratic process is less beholden to monied interests.
Seriake Dickson, the national leader of the NDC and the senator representing Bayelsa West, revealed these plans during an appearance on Arise News’ Prime Time programme. Dickson articulated the party's belief that allowing billionaires and individuals with access to public funds to dominate political financing can severely undermine democracy, thereby disadvantaging ordinary Nigerians.
"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," he asserted.
The former governor of Bayelsa State highlighted the NDC's commitment to establishing a system that enables all Nigerians, regardless of their financial standing, to contribute to the political landscape. Such contributions, he explained, would afford ordinary citizens a direct stake in the party’s campaign and significantly reduce its dependence on wealthy political patrons.
"So, we have got to help Nigerian poor people, oppressed people, break loose from the oppressors," Dickson declared. "We want a process by which Nigerians, ordinary Nigerians, can contribute N1,000, N2,000, as it happens all over the world."
Dickson further distinguished the NDC by claiming it is the sole political party in the country that does not receive funding from the government treasury. He affirmed the party's determination to pursue an alternative strategy for political financing in preparation for the upcoming 2027 general elections. This proposed fundraising model, he believes, will enable the party to garner support from a diverse cross-section of Nigerians, rather than relying on a select few affluent donors.
In addition, Dickson disclosed that the party is currently engaged in consultations regarding the formation of its presidential campaign council for the 2027 elections. He assured that the composition of the council would be publicly announced once these consultations are finalised. "We don’t want to do what the other party in government has done, publishing something and withdrawing it," he commented, without explicitly naming the party he was referencing.
Dickson also called upon the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, and other key institutions involved in the electoral process to ensure that the 2027 elections are conducted with the utmost freedom and fairness. He emphasised that the NDC plans to campaign directly to Nigerians, taking no vote for granted. "We will take our case to the Nigerian people, and every vote will be fought for. Every vote will be contested," he affirmed.
The NDC's stance on campaign financing emerges amidst a period of renewed political activity and extensive preparations by various political parties and aspirants in anticipation of the 2027 general elections. Notably, on Tuesday, the NDC also refuted allegations of illicit payments purportedly linked to its candidate-selection process.
Osa Director, the party’s national publicity secretary, asserted that the NDC had been subjected to what he described as a "wave of deliberate misinformation and propaganda" orchestrated by "disgruntled elements" concerning its candidate-selection and funding procedures. Director specifically denied claims that Dickson had either demanded or received money from aspirants seeking the party’s tickets. The party firmly maintained that its processes for candidate selection and fundraising are not based on the alleged financial arrangements being circulated by its detractors.