The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has taken action against state party officials who have been demanding money from support groups seeking recognition and registration. According to reports, some state chairmen had been collecting unauthorized registration fees from these groups. The NDC has now declared that registration of support groups is free and does not attract any fee.
In a directive signed by the NDC National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, the party warned officials against using the registration process to collect money. The directive stated that the Directorate of Support Groups at the NDC's National Headquarters in Abuja is solely responsible for registering support groups. Groups seeking registration are now required to deal directly with this directorate.
The NDC emphasized that no state chapter, chairman, officer, or other party official has the authority to register support groups or collect fees for the process. Any official found violating this directive will face disciplinary action in line with the provisions of the party's constitution. This move is significant as the NDC continues to engage with support groups ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The party values the contribution of these groups to its political activities and will continue to provide an enabling environment for them to operate. The NDC is particularly keen on deepening its engagement with groups associated with the Obidient and Kwankwasiya movements. These groups have been instrumental in the party's political activities.
The warning issued by the NDC is aimed at ensuring that state chapters comply strictly with the directive and avoid actions that could create friction between the party and its support base. The party leadership is keen on maintaining a positive relationship with its support groups and preventing any actions that could undermine this relationship.
The NDC's decision to stop the collection of unauthorized registration fees is a significant move towards promoting transparency and accountability within the party. By centralizing the registration process, the party aims to ensure that support groups are registered in a fair and transparent manner.
The directive is also a reflection of the party's commitment to deepening its internal democracy and ensuring that its processes are free from corruption. The NDC's leadership has reiterated its commitment to providing a conducive environment for support groups to operate and contribute to the party's political activities.
Key points
- The NDC has declared that registration of support groups is free and does not attract any fee.
- The Directorate of Support Groups at the NDC's National Headquarters in Abuja is solely responsible for registering support groups.
- Any official found violating the directive will face disciplinary action in line with the provisions of the party's constitution.
