National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Senator Seriake Dickson, has said political support groups backing candidates must not establish structures that compete with or perform the functions of the party’s official campaign machinery ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Mr Dickson spoke on Tuesday while receiving former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, into the NDC.
His comments came amid a dispute between the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement, popularly known as the OK Movement, and the NDC over the creation of a 59-member Presidential Campaign Council.
Dispute over OK Movement campaign council
The OK Movement is a support group backing NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, for the 2027 election.
The movement announced its 59-member campaign council on 17 September, but the NDC subsequently dissociated itself from the structure, saying it did not originate from the party and should be disregarded.
The movement later maintained that it did not require the NDC’s permission to carry out its organisational functions.
Dickson defines role of support groups
Mr Dickson said support groups should focus on mobilising grassroots support for candidates rather than competing with the political party.
“You have several support groups. Support groups don’t compete with the political party that is sponsoring candidates. Support groups don’t compete for supremacy, for space.
“Support groups are what they are, support groups. They don’t play the role of a political party. They don’t sponsor candidates. They provide grassroots support, mobilisation support,” he said.
He also cautioned support groups against attacking or turning against the political parties whose candidates they support.
“They don’t convert themselves to become critics of the political party sponsoring. They don’t attack the political party sponsoring. They don’t do that,” he said.
‘Unheard of’ to create Presidential Campaign council
Mr Dickson said the NDC has a department responsible for coordinating and registering support groups and remains open to organisations seeking to mobilise support for its candidates.
However, he questioned the decision of a support group to establish a presidential campaign council.
“None of them will dare say they are setting up a presidential campaign council. It’s unheard of. Nonsensical. And those who have a duty to educate and call people to order should do so,” he said.
He stressed that support groups have an important role in the party’s campaign but should operate within the structures established by the party.
NDC prepares official campaign council
The development comes as the NDC moves to constitute its own Presidential Campaign Council for the 2027 election.
The party said on Tuesday that Mr Obi and Mr Kwankwaso had been given the authority to nominate key officers of the council in consultation with the party leadership.
The positions include Director-General, Deputy Director-General for the North, campaign spokesman and deputy spokesman, Head of New Media, Finance Director and Deputy Finance Director, among others.
The NDC said the arrangement followed consultations between Mr Obi, Mr Kwankwaso, Mr Dickson and other party leaders.
Party awaits Obi, Kwankwaso’s nominations
NDC National Publicity Secretary Osa Director said the party had prepared the campaign council’s organogram since August and submitted it to Mr Obi and Mr Kwankwaso for their input.
He said nominations had also been received from stakeholders across the country, while the party would announce and inaugurate the council after receiving the candidates’ inputs.
The inauguration, initially scheduled for the first week of September, was postponed due to Mr Obi’s travel schedule.
The party also said its proposed campaign timetable had been prepared since August but was awaiting the conclusion of funding and fundraising arrangements to be led by the candidates.
Party warns against internal battles
On campaign finances, Mr Director said funds raised would be paid into the presidential campaign account and jointly managed by officials nominated by Mr Obi and Mr Kwankwaso alongside the party’s national treasurer.
He said the finance director and deputy would work with the national treasurer to ensure transparency and accountability, noting that the party is required to render accounts to the Independent National Electoral Commission under the Electoral Act.
The NDC also appealed to its candidates to restrain their supporters and support groups from becoming distracted by internal disputes.
“There are no battles to fight within the NDC. The common opponent to defeat is the ruling APC,” Mr Director said.
He urged candidates to remain focused on the 2027 election and reminded them that they were contesting under the NDC rather than as independent candidates.
The disagreement highlights the distinction between political parties and support groups as preparations for the 2027 elections intensify.
For voters, the immediate issue is how the NDC and its affiliated support groups organise their campaign structures, coordinate supporters and resolve disagreements while presenting candidates to the electorate.
The NDC says its official campaign council will be constituted through its party structure, while the earlier OK Movement council remains a point of disagreement between the party and the support group.
Discover more from VOICE OF THE PEOPLE
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
