By Jude Opara
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has revealed that it realized the total sum of N8.529 billion from sales of expression of interest and nomination forms, payment of dues and levies as well as donations from supporters since its inception about seven months ago.
Similarly, out of the amount, the party also spent a total of N2.402 billion on organising party events such as party primaries, publicity, salaries of staff and publicity.
National Treasurer of the party, Dr. Peter Onigah revealed this while presenting the party’s Statement of Account at the NDC National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on Monday in Abuja.
The NEC was attended by the NDC presidential candidate, Peter Obi; vice presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso; National Leader of the party, Sen. Seriake Dickson, members of the National Working Committee (NWC). Other are; former Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege; Senators Victor Umeh and Tony Nwoye; former Ebonyi state governor, Sam Egwu, former All Progressives Congress; (APC),
governorship candidate in Adamawa, Aisha Binani; amongst others.
The party said the disclosure is in line with its resolve to ensure accountability in the management of resources and challenged other political parties, especially the APC to demonstrate transparency by opening up their financial records to public scrutiny.
Speaking to the report, the NDC National Chairman, Sen. Moses Zuwoghe said the party decided to release its financial report before its first anniversary to enable members know how their fund was managed.
“We are not up to one year. That will be after our presidential elections. But just because of what we are coming out from, we, the managers of the party, feel that in a network like this, even as we are not going into details, people must know what we are and how we are functioning and how we are managing.
“It is therefore the right and opportunity of every individual member to hear and to know what we are doing with our common resources,” he said.
Commenting on the report, Sen. Victor Umeh (Anambra Central) described the move as a show of transparency necessary to guarantee public trust.
“Because there is no way to be transparent except by demonstrating it,” he said.
The lawmaker further said the presentation had enabled party members to understand NDC’s financial position rather than rely on speculation about its finances.
“From what we have been told here, I am so happy that going home I now know that what people say undercover may not have any basis. Because the party has now told us how much they got as inflow within the period under consideration and how much they have spent in running the affairs of the party within the period, though with details to be given when the proper accounting is done,” he said.
The National Chairman added that the NDC Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi
had always emphasised that the debate ahead of the 2027 elections should not be about individuals alone but should focus on what those entrusted with public funds had done with the resources.
“The question is, let them come and tell us what they have used our money, Nigeria’s money, to do, and explain to us how it has been beneficial to the citizens of this country.
“When you have a responsibility to sit over a public fund, to be open to them, they must know what you are doing,” Cleopas said.
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