Former Governor Seriake Dickson, the national leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, has lashed out at the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement.
“Never in the history of the world have support groups set up a presidential campaign council. It’s unheard of and nonsensical. Those who have a duty to educate and call people to order should do so,” Mr Dickson stated in Abuja on Tuesday while welcoming the former secretary to the government of the federation, Babachir Lawal, into the party.
The politician’s comment came amid a dispute over the activities of the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement, a support organisation for the NDC presidential and vice-presidential candidates, which recently announced a 59-member presidential campaign council.
The NDC, however, disowned the council, insisting that the campaign structure did not emanate from the party.
“These are things that we are taking for granted. We must have support groups. As party managers and experienced people who have been in the trade, these are normal things. These are things that don’t even call for discussion or conversation or even argument. It’s normal.
“You have the TPO. You have several support groups; several, several groups. Support groups don’t compete with the political party that is sponsoring candidates. Support groups don’t compete for supremacy, for space,” Mr Dickson said.
While acknowledging the role of support groups in mobilising voters and propagating the candidacies of Messrs Obi and Kwankwaso ahead of the 2027 elections, the politician warned them against turning themselves into critics of the party.
“Support groups are what they are: support. They don’t play the role of the political party. They don’t sponsor candidates. They provide grassroots support, mobilisation support. They don’t convert themselves to become critics of the political party sponsoring them. They don’t attack the political party sponsoring them. They don’t do that.
“That does not mean that they don’t have a role. We work with them. There’s a role for them. Link with the campaign teams when set up, link with the party at the grassroots and in the states and galvanise support,” Mr Dickson explained.
The politician addressed the NDC’s performance in the recent by-elections, noting the party’s strength would become more visible as its campaigns gather momentum ahead of 2027.
