State chairmen of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) have warned that support groups, including the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement, cannot establish parallel campaign structures or conduct political activities without the approval of the party.
The NDC chairmen stated this in separate interviews with Punch amid concerns over the activities of the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The development has exposed differing views among state party leaders, with some alleging that support groups are sidelining established NDC structures, while others maintain that there is no crisis and that arrangements are being made to accommodate all interest groups.
NDC Party Structure Is Supreme – Osun Chairman
The NDC Chairman in Osun State, Charles Omidiji, said no support group or political movement was superior to the party.
Omidiji said there was nothing wrong with candidates conducting separate campaigns, provided they obtained the approval of the NDC and carried the party structure along.
He argued that the party would be held responsible if a crisis occurred during a campaign organised without its involvement.
According to him, the NDC remains responsible for the party’s campaign structure and election-day operations.
“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.”
Omidiji further stated that candidates could not independently determine their election agents because such responsibilities belonged to the party.
He warned that candidates who proceeded with campaigns under their respective movements without involving the NDC would be operating outside the party structure.
“If they went ahead to have their separate campaign in the name of their movements, it means they will do the election on their own. The party will leave them to their fate because there won’t be anybody to monitor the election for them if they decide to campaign in isolation.”
The Osun chairman said the party was working with support and interest groups to establish a comprehensive campaign structure ahead of the 2027 election.
Anambra NDC Chairman Alleges Obidient Movement Sidelining Party
In Anambra State, however, the NDC Chairman, David Chukwudifu, alleged that the Obidient Movement had sidelined him and the party’s 326 ward chairmen.
Chukwudifu said the situation had affected political activities in the state and called on the NDC national leadership to intervene.
He also alleged that efforts to get the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to intervene had not yielded a response.
“Since the Obidient Movement came to the party on May 3, 2026, they have sidelined everybody. We have called on Peter Obi himself, but he is not responding to our calls.”
According to him, the alleged disagreement could affect the party’s preparations for the 2027 general elections if it was not resolved.
Ogun NDC Chairman Says No Disagreement With OK Movement
The NDC Chairman in Ogun State, Femi Alao, dismissed reports of a disagreement between the party and the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement.
Alao reiterated that the party was supreme and urged all groups to work together under a common structure.
“There is nothing like disagreement between the NDC and the OK Movement. What we are saying is that the party is supreme and we should all come together to have a common front.”
He said the party had put mechanisms in place to accommodate various interest groups.
Kano Chairman Insists Obi, Kwankwaso Movements Must Obey Party Rules
Similarly, the NDC Chairman in Kano State, Hussaini Meriga, said the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement must operate within the rules and regulations of the party.
Meriga acknowledged that Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso had previously operated separate political movements before coming together on the NDC platform.
However, he maintained that the movements were now operating under the party and must comply with its regulations.
“The party is supreme over any other movement. Though Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso had their separate movements before coming into the same platform to contest, their movements are under the party. They must obey the party’s rules and regulations.”
Adamawa NDC Denies Rift With Obi-Kwankwaso Movement
Meanwhile, the NDC Chairman in Adamawa State, Ibrahim Bebetu, denied reports of a disagreement between the party and the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement.
Bebetu said the national headquarters was preparing another campaign list that would accommodate different interest groups within the party.
“We are working together. There is nothing like division among us. We will still have another campaign list to accommodate every interest group.”
He added that the party had the resources and structures required to campaign for its presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
The differing positions of the NDC state chairmen come as the party prepares for the 2027 general elections and seeks to integrate its existing structures with the various support groups backing its political platform.
While some state leaders have raised concerns over the role of support groups, others insist that mechanisms are being developed to accommodate the different groups and ensure coordinated campaign activities.