The Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, and the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement are at odds over the role of support groups in the party’s campaign organisation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The disagreement followed the unveiling of a 59-member Presidential Campaign Council by the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement, popularly known as the OK Movement.
While the movement describes itself as an independent political organisation supporting Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso, NDC leaders have insisted that official party campaign structures must be created through the party’s established leadership.
State chairmen demand respect for party structures
NDC chairmen across several states have argued that support groups should work alongside the party rather than establish parallel structures.
Their comments came amid concerns about how the Obidient and Kwankwasiyya movements, as well as the broader OK Movement, will coordinate their mobilisation activities with the NDC.
Some state chairmen, however, said their states had not experienced significant disagreements and that discussions were underway to integrate different support groups into the campaign process.
Dispute began with 59-member council
The OK Movement announced its 59-member campaign council on September 17.
The structure included representatives from the six geopolitical zones and the Federal Capital Territory, as well as coordinators for the 36 states.
It also named officials for mobilisation, women’s affairs, legal affairs, strategy, security, information technology and other departments.
The NDC later rejected the announcement.
National Chairman Moses Cleopas said the party had not authorised the movement to establish or announce a Presidential Campaign Council in the party’s name.
Peter Obi rejects campaign council
The issue also drew a response from Peter Obi, the NDC presidential candidate.
Obi said the NDC remained the political party and that the OK Movement, Obidient groups and Kwankwasiyya were support organisations.
He said the campaign council announced by the OK Movement was created without his approval and should not operate as the party’s official campaign machinery.
Movement defends its organisational independence
The OK Movement has rejected the suggestion that it should operate under the control of the NDC.
National Secretary Saadatu Sani said the movement recognised the role of political parties but maintained that it had its own leadership, internal processes and nationwide structure.
The movement also demanded an apology from the NDC chairman over statements concerning its campaign council.
On September 25, the movement’s Director-General, John Ughulu, again described the organisation as independent. He said it had not received funding from Obi or the NDC to establish or operate its structure.
Official NDC campaign structure in preparation
The NDC has meanwhile authorised Obi and Kwankwaso to nominate key officials for the party’s official Presidential Campaign Council in consultation with the party leadership.
The arrangement is expected to cover senior campaign positions, including the Director-General, campaign spokesman, Head of New Media and finance officials.
The dispute leaves the NDC and its support organisations facing the task of defining how independent grassroots mobilisation structures will operate alongside the party’s formal campaign machinery ahead of the 2027 election.
