2027: NDC plans crowdfunding to keep moneybags from hijacking party – Spokesperson

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) says it will adopt a crowdfunding system to finance its activities ahead of the 2027 general elections and prevent wealthy individuals from dominating the party through large donations.

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, disclosed this in an interview on Trust TV’s ‘Sunday Politic’ while explaining plans to create a funding structure that would enable members and supporters to contribute according to their financial capacity.

Director said the initiative was intended to give ordinary Nigerians a stake in the running of the party while reducing the influence of “moneybags” over its decisions.

“We should be inventive, creative and innovative in the way we fund our party. Every Nigerian should have the opportunity to own the party,” he said.

“We don’t want a party that is hijacked and solely sponsored by moneybags, because that would allow them to dictate what happens within the party.”

The NDC spokesman said the party was examining crowdfunding models previously used by the Obidient movement during the 2023 election, with plans to develop a system that would provide greater accountability.

He said contributors would be able to track how their money was utilised, while professional financial experts and auditors would be engaged to oversee the process.

Director said the party had yet to determine a ceiling for individual donations but would announce one after consultations with key stakeholders.

He noted that the party had already applied contribution limits during its primary elections to curb excessive financial influence, citing N10 million for House of Representatives aspirants and N20 million for Senate aspirants.

According to him, the party could have accepted much larger donations but deliberately imposed the limits to prevent excessive financial control.

Director also said the NDC would scrutinise substantial donations before accepting them, particularly where the source of the funds was questionable.

“If somebody decides to donate N500 million to us, it will be left to the party leadership to decide whether to accept it,” he said.

He added that the party would not want to accept funds that could later expose it to legal or political risks.

On the participation of ordinary Nigerians, Director said contributions would not be limited to wealthy supporters.

“We are not saying it must be millions of naira. It could be N1,500 or whatever amount you can afford,” he said.

He added that the NDC would engage reputable audit firms operating in Nigeria to manage the funds and publish an account of money raised and expended.