National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Seriake Dickson, has criticised the Obidient-Kwankwaso (OK) Movement over its decision to establish a 59-member presidential campaign council ahead of the 2027 election.
Gatekeepers News reports that Dickson described the move as “nonsensical”, insisting that support groups should complement political parties rather than operate as parallel structures or compete with them.
He spoke in Abuja on Tuesday after a meeting of NDC stakeholders, during which former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, joined the party.
The dispute followed the OK Movement’s unveiling of a 59-member campaign council on September 17. The structure includes zonal and state coordinators and directors responsible for mobilisation, women’s affairs, strategy, security and legal affairs, among other areas. John Ughulu was named director-general, while Saadatu Sani was named secretary.
The NDC subsequently dissociated itself from the structure, saying it did not emanate from the party and should be disregarded. The OK Movement responded that it did not require the approval of any individual within the NDC to carry out its organisational activities.
‘Support groups don’t compete with parties’
Speaking on the controversy, Dickson said support groups should focus on mobilising grassroots support for candidates rather than assuming the functions of political parties.
“Support groups don’t compete with the political party that is sponsoring candidates. Support groups don’t compete for supremacy and space,” he said.
“Support groups are what they are — support groups. They don’t play the role of political party. They don’t sponsor candidates.
“They provide grassroots support and mobilisation. They don’t convert themselves to become critics of the political party sponsored. They don’t attack the political party sponsored.”
Dickson said the practice was not peculiar to the NDC, noting that other political parties also have support groups.
“None of them will dare say they are setting up a presidential campaign council. It is unheard of. Nonsensical,” he said.
“And those who had a duty to educate and call people to order should do so.”
The former Bayelsa governor said the NDC recognised the importance of support groups and was prepared to work with them.
He added that he had held meetings with groups associated with the Obidient movement and welcomed more organisations willing to mobilise support for the party’s candidates.
The disagreement comes as the NDC prepares to inaugurate its own official Presidential Campaign Council for the 2027 election. The party has said Peter Obi and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, will nominate key officers of the council in consultation with the party leadership.
