A fresh disagreement has emerged within the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, after National Leader Seriake Dickson criticised the OK Movement for attempting to establish a presidential campaign council for Peter Obi. Dickson called on Obi and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, to intervene and bring the support group under control, arguing that its reported 59-member […]
A fresh disagreement has emerged within the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, after National Leader Seriake Dickson criticised the OK Movement for attempting to establish a presidential campaign council for Peter Obi.
Dickson called on Obi and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, to intervene and bring the support group under control, arguing that its reported 59-member campaign council goes beyond the responsibilities of a support organisation.
The NDC leader made the statement while welcoming former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, into the opposition party.
He said the creation of a presidential campaign council by the Obi/Kwankwaso Movement was inappropriate because support groups do not have the authority to perform functions belonging to the political party.
Dickson maintained that groups supporting political candidates should focus on mobilisation and other supportive activities rather than compete with the party that officially sponsors the candidates.
“Support groups don’t compete with political parties that are sponsoring candidates. They don’t compete for supremacy or space. Support groups are what they are,” he said.
According to the former Bayelsa governor, support groups cannot sponsor candidates or take over the responsibilities of a political party.
He also warned against any attempt by such organisations to position themselves as rivals to the NDC or challenge the authority of the party leadership.
“They don’t play the role of a political party; they don’t sponsor candidates. They only provide grassroots mobilisation support,” Dickson said.
He noted that political parties, including the ruling party, have numerous support groups working for their candidates, but said these groups do not establish presidential campaign councils independently of the party.
Dickson therefore urged Obi and Kwankwaso to address the situation, insisting that the reported decision by the OK Movement should not be allowed to create confusion within the party structure.
“We have thousands of support groups, and many more are welcome,” he said, adding that it was “unheard of” for one of them to claim the authority to establish a presidential campaign council.
Describing the development as “nonsensical” and “uncalled for”, the NDC leader called on those with the responsibility to maintain order within the political structure to intervene.
“It is unheard of, nonsensical! Those who have the duty to call people to order should do so,” Dickson said.
The disagreement comes as the NDC steps up its activities ahead of the 2027 elections, with Obi and Kwankwaso expected to lead the party’s presidential campaign.
It also coincides with the defection of former SGF Babachir Lawal to the NDC, which he announced while declaring support for the Obi-Kwankwaso ticket.