Party Is Supreme – NDC Chairmen Warn Obi-Kwankwaso Movement Against Parallel Structures

State chairmen of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) have insisted that support groups affiliated with the party cannot establish parallel campaign structures or organise political activities without the approval and involvement of the party.

According to Bush Radio Academy, the position comes amid disagreements between some state chapters of the NDC and the Obi-Kwankwaso (OK) Movement over the organisation of campaign activities ahead of the 2027 general elections. The dispute follows the unveiling of a 59-member presidential campaign council by the OK Movement, which the NDC leadership had earlier distanced itself from.

The NDC chairman in Osun State, Charles Omidiji, maintained that no support group was superior to the party, stressing that candidates and affiliated movements could engage in individual campaigns only with the approval of the party and proper coordination with its structures.

Omidiji argued that the party would ultimately be held responsible for campaign-related incidents involving its candidates, making it necessary for all campaign activities to be properly coordinated through the recognised party structure.

He explained that candidates could engage supporters directly but must ensure that the party was carried along, particularly because the party remains responsible for election supervision, agents and other organisational matters.

The Osun chairman further warned that candidates or groups that chose to conduct campaigns independently would be doing so outside the official party structure and could not expect the party to assume responsibility for activities carried out without its approval.

He added that the NDC was working to accommodate various support and interest groups as part of its broader campaign strategy.

However, the situation appears more contentious in Anambra State, where NDC chairman David Chukwudifu alleged that the Obidient Movement had sidelined the party’s existing structures, including himself and the 326 ward chairmen across the state.

Chukwudifu said political activities had been affected by the disagreement and appealed to the national leadership of the party to intervene and resolve the matter.

He also claimed that he had attempted to contact NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi over the situation but had not received a response.

“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. They have sidelined every one of us, including me and the 326 ward chairmen in the state,” he said.

Chukwudifu expressed concern that continued disagreement between the party’s existing structures and the support movement could affect preparations for the 2027 election, urging the national leadership to intervene.

In Ogun State, NDC chairman Femi Alao said there was no fundamental disagreement between the party and the OK Movement, but maintained that all campaign activities must receive party approval.

Alao said the party had established mechanisms to accommodate different interest groups while ensuring that everyone worked toward a common objective.

Similarly, Kano State NDC chairman Hussaini Meriga said the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement was expected to operate within the framework of the party’s rules and regulations.

Meriga noted that although Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso had previously operated separate political movements, their current political activities were being conducted under the NDC platform and should therefore comply with the party’s regulations.

Meanwhile, Adamawa State NDC chairman Ibrahim Bebetu dismissed reports of a serious disagreement between the party and the OK Movement in the state.

Bebetu said the party was working with various groups and expected a broader campaign structure that would accommodate different interests.

The developments come as the NDC continues preparations for the 2027 presidential election, with the party seeking to coordinate its formal structures alongside support groups associated with its presidential ticket. Recent reports indicate that the NDC has been working on its official campaign council while disagreements over the independently announced OK Movement structure remain a point of contention.