Dickson Faults OK Movement Over 59-Member Campaign Council

National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Seriake Dickson, has criticised the Obidient-Kwankwaso (OK) Movement for setting up a 59-member presidential campaign council, arguing that support groups should complement political parties rather than establish structures that could operate alongside them.

Dickson made the remarks in Abuja on Tuesday, September 22, amid an ongoing disagreement between the NDC and the support group over the campaign council.

The OK Movement unveiled the 59-member structure on September 17, with John Ughulu named as Director-General and Saadatu Sani as secretary. The council also includes coordinators for the six geopolitical zones, the Federal Capital Territory and the 36 states, as well as officials overseeing areas such as mobilisation, strategy, women’s affairs, security and legal matters.

The NDC has since distanced itself from the structure. National Chairman Moses Cleopas said the campaign council was not authorised by the party and warned that no support group or individual could establish a campaign structure in the party’s name without approval from the National Working Committee.

Dickson said the role of support organisations was primarily to mobilise grassroots backing for candidates rather than assume responsibilities he associated with political parties.

He argued that support groups should work with the party sponsoring the candidates and avoid presenting themselves as alternative political structures or publicly attacking the party.

Dickson also said the issue was not unique to the NDC, noting that political parties generally operate alongside various support groups. He questioned the decision by the OK Movement to establish what he described as a presidential campaign council.

The OK Movement, however, has rejected the NDC's position, maintaining that it is an independent organisation with its own leadership and internal processes. Its National Secretary, Saadatu Sani, said the movement does not require the personal approval of any individual within the NDC to carry out its organisational activities.

Sani said the movement recognises the constitutional role of political parties but maintains its independence as a support organisation. She added that the OK Movement intends to mobilise support for the NDC's presidential and vice-presidential candidates, as well as other candidates it chooses to support.

The dispute comes ahead of the 2027 general elections, with both sides maintaining different positions over the authority and role of the 59-member campaign structure.

This version keeps Dickson’s criticism and the OK Movement’s response balanced while removing unnecessary repetition and source-style wording.