The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) says it plans to finance its 2027 election campaign through small donations from ordinary Nigerians, with contributions starting from as little as N1,000.
The party’s National Leader and former Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, disclosed this during an appearance on Arise News’ Prime Time on Wednesday.
Dickson said the initiative was designed to reduce the influence of wealthy individuals and political financiers who, he argued, could use their financial resources to exert undue influence over Nigeria’s democratic process.
According to him, the NDC is seeking to establish a funding model that would allow ordinary citizens to directly support the party’s political activities.
“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,” Dickson said.
He added that Nigerians should be given the opportunity to contribute modest amounts towards the party’s activities, citing international examples where political parties rely on grassroots donations.
“We want a process by which Nigerians, ordinary Nigerians, can contribute N1,000, N2,000, as it happens all over the world,” he said.
Dickson also disclosed that consultations were ongoing regarding the composition of the NDC’s presidential campaign council ahead of the 2027 general election.
He said the party would announce the members of the council after the consultations had been concluded, explaining that the leadership wanted to avoid prematurely releasing a list that could subsequently be withdrawn.
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“We don’t want to do what the other party in government has done, publishing something and withdrawing it,” he said.
The former governor further urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and other relevant institutions to ensure that the 2027 elections were conducted in a free, fair and credible manner.
He said the NDC would take its campaign directly to Nigerians and vigorously contest every vote.
“We will take our case to the Nigerian people, and every vote will be fought for. Every vote will be contested,” Dickson said.
The development comes a day after the NDC rejected allegations concerning alleged illegal payments linked to its candidate selection process.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, described the allegations as deliberate misinformation and propaganda allegedly being circulated by “disgruntled elements.”
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Director also denied claims that Dickson demanded or received money from aspirants in connection with the party’s candidate selection process.
With the 2027 general election approaching, the proposed small-donation model could mark a significant shift in how the NDC intends to mobilise financial support, placing greater emphasis on grassroots participation rather than dependence on wealthy political financiers.
