By Sandra Kenneth
The National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Seriake Dickson, has cautioned political support groups against setting up parallel campaign machinery or attempting to perform functions meant for the official party structure.
Dickson made the remark on Tuesday while welcoming former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, into the party fold.
His statement comes against the backdrop of an ongoing friction between the party leadership and the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement (OK Movement)—a major support group backing NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi and his running mate Rabiu Kwankwaso for the 2027 general election.
The OK Movement had on September 17 announced the creation of a 59-member Presidential Campaign Council, a move the NDC quickly disowned, describing the council as unauthorized and calling on the public to disregard it. In response, the group insisted it did not require party permission to manage its internal operations.
Addressing the dispute, Dickson stressed that support groups exist strictly to mobilize grassroots support, not to compete with the sponsoring political party for authority or space.
“You have several support groups. Support groups don’t compete with the political party that is sponsoring candidates. They don’t compete for supremacy or space,” Dickson said. “Support groups are what they are—support groups. They don’t play the role of a political party or sponsor candidates. They provide grassroots and mobilization support.”
The former Bayelsa State governor also warned support groups against turning into internal opposition. “They don’t convert themselves to become critics or attack the political party sponsoring the candidates. They don’t do that,” he added.
Describing the setup of an independent campaign council by a support group as “unheard of,” Dickson called on political leaders and handlers to educate their supporters to operate within established guidelines, noting that the NDC maintains a dedicated department to register and coordinate support organizations.
Meanwhile, the NDC revealed it is finalizing plans to inaugurate its official Presidential Campaign Council.
According to the party leadership, presidential candidate Peter Obi and running mate Rabiu Kwankwaso have been empowered, in consultation with party leaders, to nominate key council officials. Positions to be filled include Director-General, Deputy Director-General (North), Campaign Spokesman, Head of New Media, and Finance Director.
