The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has said it will not rush into full-blown electioneering following the lifting of the ban on campaigns for the 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections.

The party said it would adopt a strategic and stakeholder-driven approach to its campaigns, insisting that the lifting of the ban did not mean political parties must immediately commence intensive campaigns.

The National Publicity Secretary of the NDC, Osa Director, stated this while responding to questions on the party’s preparedness for the commencement of the campaign season.

Director said the party was fully prepared for an “effective and efficient campaign that is stakeholders-driven”, but noted that the presidential election was still about five months away.

According to him, the party would deploy its time and resources strategically to ensure that its message resonates with Nigerians ahead of the elections.

“The NDC is ready to run an effective and efficient campaign that is stakeholders-driven. However, the fact that the ban on campaign activities is lifted does not automatically translate to political parties commencing their campaigns the same day.

“The presidential election is about five months away. Therefore, we need to be strategic and impactful with our campaign strategies,” he said.

The NDC spokesman also condemned what he described as the unreasonable increase in the prices of billboards by some state governments, warning that such action could restrict the political space and undermine freedom of expression.

He urged the affected state governments to immediately reverse the increases, describing the practice as undemocratic and politically unacceptable.

We condemn the unreasonable hike in prices for billboards by some states. It is undemocratic and amounts to constricting the space for free expression.

“The state governments involved in such unwholesome and politically abominable practices should reverse themselves immediately. What are they afraid of?” he asked.

Director assured NDC candidates that the party would provide the necessary support to enable them to prosecute their campaigns effectively.

He said the party was determined to introduce a different style of politics, promising that Nigerians would soon see a clear distinction between the NDC and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

“We will give our candidates all the necessary support to succeed. NDC will play politics of no longer business as usual.

“Nigerians should watch out, and they will soon notice that we are different and the preferred party to rescue Nigeria from its present mess inflicted on it by the moribund APC government,” he alleged. (The Nation)