The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has said that there is nothing wrong with donations made by aspirants seeking elective positions on its platform, because the funds would be used to support its campaign activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.
A chieftain of the party who spoke on condition of anonymity, claimed that the donations were necessary to help finance the party’s operations and electioneering activities, especially as a new political platform going into a contest with more entrenched parties.
The source was making the clarification in the light of some insinuations in certain quarters that some of the aspirants who allegedly made such donations were complaining that the party forced them to part with their money.
According to him, the donations were voluntary and also an indication of the commitment of the aspirants to the party, as well as their capacity to fund part of their own election campaigns.
“There was nothing sinister in requesting the aspirants to make free will donations to assist the party in its operations. All over the world, political parties, especially new ones are funded by the members until such a time when they can stand on their own.
“Secondly, the donations are meant to assist in financing our campaigns. We believe that anyone who can make such a contribution has demonstrated the capacity to shoulder some percentage of their campaign expenses,” the source stated.
The party official explained that the amount charged for the Expression of Interest Forms for House of Representatives aspirants is N2 million, adding that the N4 million ment for the Nomination Forms was paid by only those who were successful in the primary election.
“We need resources to finance our campaigns, and it is from these donations that we intend to support our candidates financially. We are a new party and we will be contesting against political heavyweights, both in terms of party structures and individual candidates. Therefore, we need adequate financial backing,” the source added.
However, our source further revealed that where an aspirant had paid for the Nomination Forms but was later unable to secure the party’s ticket, such an aspirant would be refunded his money, unless in a situation where such a person voluntarily decided to dash the money to the party.
It could be recalled that the issue of the N10 million donations recently became a public issue following allegations by Nollywood actor-turned-politician, Kenneth Okonkwo, who accused the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi and other NDC leaders from the South East of collecting money from hapless aspirants.
Obi has since dragged Okonkwo to court over the claims.
