Peter Obi, the 2027 presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has expressed concerns over the creation of a presidential campaign council (PCC) by the OK Movement, a support group backing his candidacy. In an interview on Arise News' Prime Time, Obi emphasized that the OK Movement should focus on supporting the party rather than acting like a political party. The OK Movement, also known as Obi-Kwankwaso, is one of several independent groups mobilizing support for Obi and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso.
The OK Movement recently unveiled a 59-member PCC to mobilize support for Obi and Kwankwaso, but the NDC leadership disowned the support group, stating that it would soon inaugurate its own PCC for the 2027 election. Obi stressed that support groups like the OK Movement should not create PCCs like a political party, and that their role is to support the party, not replace it. He also stated that he was not informed about the formation of the PCC by the OK Movement.
Obi emphasized that the NDC is the political party that members of the OK Movement and other support groups belong to, and that these groups should play their role as supporting groups, not as parties. He noted that some leaders of the support groups were not adhering to directives, which led to the creation of the PCC by the OK Movement. Obi also stated that whatever the OK Movement does must have the express approval of both him and Kwankwaso.
The NDC leadership and members of the OK Movement have been at odds over the setting up of the PCC for the 2027 election. On September 17, the OK Movement constituted a 59-member PCC to mobilize support for Obi and Kwankwaso, claiming it would operate independently of the PCC to be inaugurated by the NDC. However, the NDC disowned the support group, warning that their action could destabilize the party.
The OK Movement rejected the NDC's position, insisting that it does not require personal validation or approval from any individual within the party before exercising its legitimate organizational functions. The support group claimed it was acting in accordance with established processes. The face-off between the NDC leadership and the OK Movement has raised concerns about the party's preparations for the 2027 election.
Obi's criticism of the OK Movement's creation of a PCC highlights the challenges faced by the NDC in managing its support groups. The party's leadership has emphasized that support groups should not overstep their roles and that the party's PCC will be inaugurated soon. The development has sparked debate about the role of support groups in Nigerian politics and the need for clear guidelines on their operations.
The disagreement between the NDC leadership and the OK Movement has significant implications for the 2027 election. The NDC's ability to present a united front and manage its support groups effectively will be crucial in its bid to win the election. The party's leadership must balance the enthusiasm of its support groups with the need for discipline and coordination to achieve its electoral goals.
Key points
- Peter Obi criticizes OK Movement's creation of a presidential campaign council, saying it oversteps its role as a support group.
- The OK Movement's creation of a PCC has sparked a face-off with the NDC leadership, which disowned the support group.
- The disagreement highlights the challenges faced by the NDC in managing its support groups and the need for clear guidelines on their operations.
