The National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Seriake Dickson, has criticised the activities of the OK Movement, warning political support groups affiliated with the party against operating as parallel structures or competing with it for control.
Dickson spoke while receiving former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, into the NDC.
“Support groups don’t compete with the political party that is sponsoring candidates. Support groups don’t compete for supremacy, for space. Support groups are what they are: support groups.”
He added, “Support groups don’t play the role of a political party. They don’t sponsor candidates. They provide grassroots support, mobilisation, and support. They don’t convert themselves to become critics of the political party sponsored.”
Dickson said the NDC has made room for support groups, noting, “The NDC from day one made it clear that we have a huge place, an important place for all support groups. I’ve actually held meetings with Obidient groups.”
He stressed that several groups could operate under the party, saying, “We have thousands of support groups, and many more are welcome.” He added that the party has a department responsible for coordinating and managing them.
According to Dickson, support groups should not attack their sponsoring party or establish competing campaign structures.
“They don’t attack the political party sponsor. They don’t do that. Never in the history of political election, everywhere in the world.”
He said, “None of them will dare say they are setting up a campaign, presidential campaign council. It’s unheard of. Nonsensical.”
Dickson said support groups could be “gentle” or “more active,” but remained support groups, adding that their role was to mobilise at the grassroots and promote the party and its candidates.
He urged them to “confine themselves to their role” and focus on “providing support for our candidates, galvanising support at the grassroots level, propagating the candidates and the party.”