A rift has emerged within the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) after National Leader Senator Seriake Dickson warned affiliate political groups against usurping official party duties, following the unauthorised establishment of a 59-member presidential campaign council by the Obi-Kwankwaso (OK) Movement for the 2027 general election.
The OK Movement unveiled the council on 17 September to back the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso. However, the NDC swiftly disowned the body, stating that it had not originated from the party and should be ignored, prompting the movement to respond that it did not require party permission to manage its internal affairs.
Speaking on Tuesday while welcoming former Secretary to the Government of the Federation Babachir Lawal into the NDC, the party’s National Leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, warned that support groups must not act as rivals or set up alternative operations to the official campaign organs.
The former Bayelsa State governor stressed that support groups exist strictly to build grassroots momentum rather than challenge the main party or sponsor candidates independently.
“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,” Dickson stated.
“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 added.
Dickson emphasised that such movements should remain loyal to their sponsoring platforms.
“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.
Dickson noted that the NDC maintains a dedicated department to register and manage support groups, affirming that further organisations remain welcome to bolster its political ticket. Nevertheless, he condemned the decision of any support group to set up a presidential campaign council, calling on those responsible for public orientation to step in.
“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,” Dickson said.
The NDC leader insisted that while support groups play a vital role in electioneering, they must operate strictly within official party boundaries.
The dispute comes as the NDC prepares to formally inaugurate its official Presidential Campaign Council for 2027. On Tuesday, the party revealed that following discussions between party leaders, Dickson, Obi, and Kwankwaso, the presidential candidate and his running mate were granted authority to nominate key campaign officials alongside the party leadership.
These appointments will cover several major roles, including Director-General, Deputy Director-General for the North, campaign spokesperson and deputy, Head of New Media, and Finance Director with a deputy.