National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Seriake Dickson, has clarified the party's stance on support groups operating during the 2027 campaign. Dickson emphasized that while support groups have a crucial role in grassroots mobilisation, they cannot assume the functions of the party or its official campaign organisation. This clarification comes amid controversy over the OK Movement's 59-member Presidential Campaign Council.
Dickson made these remarks in Abuja while receiving former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, into the NDC. He stressed that support groups should complement the NDC rather than compete with it for political space or authority. According to Dickson, support groups are expected to provide grassroots mobilisation and promote the candidates, while working with the official campaign structure once constituted.
The NDC has dissociated itself from the OK Movement's Presidential Campaign Council, saying it was not authorised by the party and should be disregarded. Dickson questioned the decision of the OK Movement to establish its own campaign council, describing it as "unheard of" and "nonsensical." He urged those responsible for coordinating support groups to educate them on their roles.
The OK Movement, however, maintains that it is an independent political organisation rather than an appendage of the NDC. Its Director-General, John Ughulu, said the movement has its own structures at national, state, local government, and ward levels and would retain control of them. Ughulu emphasized that the movement supports Obi and Kwankwaso but does not regard that political alignment as organisational subordination to the NDC.
The dispute centres on the boundary between the NDC's formal party and campaign machinery and the independent structures of organisations mobilising support for its candidates. Dickson cautioned support groups against attacking or positioning themselves as critics of the political party whose candidates they support. He also stated that the NDC has a structure for coordinating support groups and remains willing to work with various organisations mobilising support for Obi and Kwankwaso.
The NDC is preparing to inaugurate its official Presidential Campaign Council, with Obi and Kwankwaso nominating key officers in consultation with the NDC leadership. The council will include a Director-General, Deputy Director-General (North), spokesman, deputy spokesman, Head of New Media, and finance officials. This move is expected to formalise the party's campaign structure and clarify the roles of support groups.
The clarification by Dickson aims to establish a clear distinction between the party and support organisations. The NDC's stance on support groups is straightforward: they should complement the party's efforts without competing for supremacy or space. As the 2027 campaign heats up, the relationship between the NDC and support groups like OK Movement will continue to be closely watched.
Key points
- NDC leader Senator Seriake Dickson clarifies that support groups cannot operate as parallel structures to the party.
- The OK Movement's Presidential Campaign Council has been disputed by the NDC, which says it was not authorised.
- The NDC is set to inaugurate its official Presidential Campaign Council, formalising its campaign structure.
