State leaders of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) have declared that political support organisations must not create separate campaign frameworks or conduct election-related activities without the authorisation of the party.
The state chairmen made this known in separate interviews with Punch as concerns continue to emerge over the activities of the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The disagreement centres on the relationship between the party’s established structures and groups supporting its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso.
Some of the state executives accused the support organisations of operating without adequately involving party officials, while others said there were no major disagreements in their respective states and that arrangements were being made to bring the various groups together.
The NDC Chairman in Osun State, Charles Omidiji, said no support organisation could exercise authority above that of the political party.
According to him, there was nothing wrong with candidates engaging in separate campaigns or meeting directly with supporters, provided such activities were approved by the party and carried out with its structures involved.
Omidiji argued that candidates could not independently organise political events without considering the party because the NDC would ultimately be responsible for activities conducted in its name.
He explained that support groups could organise meetings and other forms of mobilisation, but they were expected to maintain contact with the party and work alongside its existing structures.
The Osun chairman said, “They are just groups, and we have said that the groups cannot do their campaign in isolation. They may have one-on-one campaigns because you cannot tell a candidate not to campaign on his own. They can campaign on their own, but they will refer back to the party to carry them along.”
He further maintained that the party remained responsible for election-related arrangements, including the deployment and supervision of agents during the polls.
Omidiji said any candidate or support group that chose to organise campaigns independently would be doing so without the backing of the party structure.
He warned that such groups should not expect the NDC to provide organisational support or accept responsibility for activities carried out without its involvement.
According to him, the party had already begun discussions with various interest and support groups in preparation for a coordinated campaign structure ahead of the election.
However, the situation in Anambra State appears to be more complicated.
The state NDC Chairman, David Chukwudifu, alleged that the Obidient Movement had excluded the recognised party leadership and grassroots officials from political activities across the state.
Chukwudifu claimed that he and the 326 ward chairmen had been pushed aside by members of the movement, leaving the party’s existing structures unable to function effectively.
He said the state chapter was relying on the national leadership to intervene and find a solution to the disagreement between the party and the Obidient Movement.
The Anambra chairman also alleged that he had attempted to reach Peter Obi over the matter but had yet to receive a response to his calls.
He said, “I am the founder and chairman of the NDC in the state. I brought the party to Anambra State from Abuja. But there are no political activities in the state because of the way the Obidients are doing things.”
According to Chukwudifu, the disagreement could have wider implications for the party’s preparations for the 2027 election if it was not resolved.
He alleged that the situation began after the Obidient Movement joined the party on May 3, 2026, claiming that the movement subsequently sidelined the existing NDC leadership in the state.
Chukwudifu therefore called for urgent intervention by the national leadership, warning that continued division between the established party structures and support groups could affect the party’s activities and preparations for the forthcoming election.
