NDC says 80% of its candidates couldn’t afford nomination forms, blames APC

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has said 80 per cent of its 2027 candidates could not afford the party’s expression of interest forms.

The NDC spokesperson, Osa Director, in a statement on Saturday said the candidates could not afford the party’s forms due to the high level of hunger and poverty in Nigeria.

Mr Director suggested that the inability of the candidates to buy the expression of interest forms affected the NDC’s finances.

He blamed the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for the hunger and poverty in the country.

“Our finances would have been more robust.

“However, contrary to speculations in the public domain, and due to the level of poverty, hunger and deprivation in the country occasioned by the rudderless APC and its amorphous economic policies, about 80% of our candidates could not afford the Expression of Interest forms,” he said.

“The party had to issue forms to such candidates free of charge.”

The spokesperson, however, did not identify the NDC candidates who were given the forms “free of charge.”

Mr Director said the NDC’s National Treasurer, John Odey, would release and present the party’s statement of account on Monday.

“This is in deference to our avowed commitment to the principles of transparency and accountability.

“In this regard, we challenge other political parties, especially the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), to emulate this level of openness and transparency in the management of their finances,” he said.

The spokesperson said the statement of account would be presented during the NDC’s Third National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja.

He said the NDC would use the opportunity of the NEC meeting to unveil its National Campaign Council (NCC).

“As a party of innovation, our NCC is all-encompassing. It covers the Presidential, National Assembly, Governorship, and State Houses of Assembly Campaign Councils.

“Our various candidates will be presented with Certificates of Return for their respective offices,” he said.

“The NDC is turbo-charged and ready to give Nigerians the altruistic leadership the nation deserves.”

Felix Morka, the national APC spokesperson, did not respond to calls and a text message seeking his response to the allegations that the party was responsible for hunger and poverty in Nigeria.