National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Seriake Dickson, has described the decision by the Obidient-Kwankwaso (OK) Movement to establish a 59-member presidential campaign council as “nonsensical”, insisting that support groups should not compete with the political party backing their candidates.
Dickson spoke on Tuesday in Abuja while receiving former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, into the NDC, amid a disagreement between the party and the OK Movement over the campaign structure.
The OK Movement had unveiled the 59-member council on September 17, naming John Ughulu as director-general and Saadatu Sani as secretary, alongside coordinators and directors for mobilisation, women’s affairs, strategy, security and legal affairs.
The NDC subsequently disowned the council, saying it was not authorised by the party and should be disregarded.
The OK Movement, however, said it did not require the approval of any individual in the party to carry out its organisational activities.
Dickson said support groups were established to mobilise grassroots support for candidates, not to create structures that rival the party.
“Support groups don’t compete with the political party that is sponsoring candidates. Support groups don’t compete for supremacy and space,” he said.
“Support groups are what they are support groups. They don’t play the role of political party. They don’t sponsor candidates.
“They provide grassroots support and mobilisation. They don’t convert themselves to become critics of the political party sponsored. They don’t attack the political party sponsored.”
Dickson said the practice was not limited to the NDC, noting that other political parties also have support groups.
“None of them will dare say they are setting up a presidential campaign council. It is unheard of. Nonsensical,” he said.
“And those who had a duty to educate and call people to order should do so.”
Despite the dispute, Dickson said the NDC recognised the importance of support groups and was prepared to work with them.
He said he had already held meetings with Obidient groups and that the party welcomed more grassroots organisations.
The disagreement comes as the NDC moves to establish its official Presidential Campaign Council for the 2027 election.
The party has since given its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, authority to nominate several key officers of the council in consultation with the party leadership.
