NDC National Leader Slams Obi, Kwankwaso Supporters, Says They Should Know Their Place

Former Bayelsa State Governor and national leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Seriake Dickson, has criticised the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement for establishing a 59-member presidential campaign council ahead of the 2027 elections.

Dickson described the move as inappropriate, saying support groups should complement political parties rather than create structures that could rival them.

“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,” Dickson said in Abuja on Tuesday.

He spoke while receiving former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, into the NDC.

The controversy followed the announcement of a 59-member presidential campaign council by the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement, a support group backing the NDC’s presidential and vice-presidential candidates.

“We won’t condone any form of attack from the OK Movement. How dare they say they are setting up a presidential campaign council? It’s unheard of. It is nonsensical.”

— Seriake Dickson pic.twitter.com/AAGSTSfKeE

— TallJohn🌍 (@JohnFanimokun) September 22, 2026

However, the NDC disowned the council, saying the structure did not originate from or represent the party.

Dickson said support groups were important to political mobilisation but should understand their limits and avoid competing with the party’s official structures.

“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,” he said.

According to him, support groups have a role to play in grassroots mobilisation and promoting the party’s candidates, but should not turn against the political organisation they support.

“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,” Dickson explained.