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…challenges other parties to open their books to the public
…says INEC’s omission of candidates names being addressed
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has given an account of its finances since inception, saying it raised N8,529,632,438.77 billion in seven months from sales of nomination forms, contributions from supporters, dues and levies, and spent N2,402,461,479.77 billion on organising party events, including primaries, publicity, salaries and other matters.
The party’s disclosure followed a decision for accountability in the management of resources, with the NDC challenging other political parties to demonstrate transparency by opening up their financial records to public scrutiny.
The National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas, who made the disclosure at the 3rd National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the party in Abuja on Monday, said the party decided to make the disclosure before its first anniversary to ensure members knew how their common resources were being managed, adding that the move was not prompted by allegations on social media.
He explained thay although political parties were required to submit their financial reports to the relevant government institutions at the end of each year, the NDC considered it necessary to account to its members ahead of the statutory deadline.
“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,” Cleopas said.
“It is therefore the right and opportunity of every individual member to hear and to know what we are doing with our common resources.”
The national chairman said the party would present its properly audited accounts to the constitutionally authorised institutions when due, explaining that its financial disclosure was part of efforts to establish accountability as a defining principle of its administration.
He added that the party had a financial committee comprising the national chairman, national secretary, financial secretary, treasurer and auditor, with the legal adviser participating when necessary.
Cleopas also clarified that the account from which the funds were being managed was dedicated to election-related activities and not the general running of the party.
The disclosure prompted commendation from Senator Victor Umeh, who represents Anambra Central in the Senate and is a member of the party’s NEC, describing the move as a demonstration of transparency necessary to earn public trust.
“Because there is no way to be transparent except by demonstrating it,” Umeh said.
He added that the presentation had enabled party members to understand the organisation’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.
Umeh, a former national chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), said the disclosure showed that the party’s managers were prepared to be held accountable.
He put the party’s financial balance at more than N6 billion, describing it as seed money for the party’s operations and forthcoming campaign activities.
“The six billion that we have is a seed money for the operations of this party. We know that we have a lot to do,” he said.
Umeh noted that the funds had come from contributions by party members, adding that the organisation would need additional support to meet its obligations as it prepared for the 2027 general elections.
He also appealed to the party leadership to return an appropriate percentage of funds raised from state chapters to the states to enable them to establish offices and undertake activities to improve the party’s visibility.
Responding, Cleopas said the allocation of resources to state chapters was already on the agenda of the party’s national leadership, assuring members that the states would receive their legitimate share in line with the party’s constitution and objectives.
The chairman also clarified that the call by the presidential candidate of the party, Peter Obi, for accountability was not directed specifically at him or the party’s leadership, but was a broader challenge to those managing Nigeria’s resources.
According to him, Obi had emphasised that the debate ahead of the 2027 elections should not be about individuals alone, but should focus on what those entrusted with resources had done with the money.
“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,” Cleopas said, recounting the presidential candidate’s position.
The challenge extended beyond political parties to those managing the nation’s economy, with the NDC chairman urging public office holders to account for their stewardship and explain the benefits of government expenditure to Nigerians.
Cleopas said transparency was essential to sustaining public confidence, warning that concealing information about the management of funds could breed suspicion and create room for unfounded allegations.
“When you have a responsibility to sit over a public fund, to be open to them, they must know what you are doing,” he said.
The NEC meeting also reviewed the report of its second meeting held on June 3, 2026, and received updates on efforts to reconcile aspirants dissatisfied with the outcomes of the party’s primaries.
Cleopas said the reconciliation committee had visited the various geopolitical zones to engage aggrieved aspirants, while regular meetings at the national secretariat were being used to resolve disagreements and strengthen party unity.
He urged members to place the collective interest of the party above personal ambitions, saying the NDC could not afford to disappoint Nigerians looking to it for political change.
The chairman also assured that says the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s omission of some candidates names were being addressed and will soon be resolved.
The meeting was attended by Obi, vice presidential candidate Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, National Leader Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, Cleopas, Umeh, Senator Tony Nwoye, former Ebonyi State governor Sam Egwu, former Adamawa governorship candidate Aisha Binani, former lawmakers Omo Agege, Nkechi Nwogu and Clever Ikisikpo, as well as other national leaders and state chairmen.
