The decision by the Nigeria Democratic Congress to commence registration of support groups ahead of the election has caused fresh row between the party and some support groups backing its 2027 presidential ticket.
The Obi-Kwankwaso Movement and the Kwankwassiya groups registered their disagreements in separate exclusive interviews with The Punch.
The NDC had earlier, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, said the registration was free and warned state chapters against collecting fees from groups seeking registration.
Director said the exercise was exclusively under the Directorate of Support Groups at its national headquarters in Abuja, adding that no state chapter, officer or official was authorised to register support groups or collect money for the process.
The spokesman, however, warned that any violation of the directive would attract disciplinary action in accordance with the party’s constitution.
He said, “The registration of support groups is the exclusive prerogative of the Directorate of Support Groups.
Therefore, all inquiries and registration must be directed to the Directorate of Support Groups at the national headquarters of the party in Abuja.
“The registration of support groups is free. It does not attract any fee whatsoever.”
But the Director-General of the OK Movement, John Ughulu, rejected the registration exercise, insisting that the movement remained an independent political organisation and would not surrender its structure to the NDC.
Ughulu said the movement’s existence and internal affairs did not require the approval of the NDC leadership, adding that it would resist any attempt to undermine, appropriate or dissolve its structure.
Continuing, he argued that neither the Nigerian nor the NDC constitution, as presented to the movement, gave the party exclusive authority over the internal structure of an independent political organisation.
“The OK Movement therefore makes it clear that we will not accept any attempt by any individual or group to undermine, appropriate, dissolve or otherwise interfere with the legitimate structure and leadership of the movement.
“The meaning of ‘independent’ is straightforward. The NDC has the right to constitute and manage its own campaign structures. Likewise, an independent political organisation has the right to constitute and manage its own organisational structures, subject always to the law.
“We will resist every form of intimidation, coercion or attempt to undermine its legitimate organisational structure,” he warned.
The spokesman for the Kwankwasiyya Movement, Habibu Muhammed, also called for understanding between the party and the support groups.
Speaking exclusively with our correspondent, Muhammed said the disagreements were partly a result of the NDC’s attempt to establish new structures as an emerging political party.
He said, “The truth is that the NDC is evolving and they are trying to do things differently. That is why there are some forms of misunderstanding here and there. But I believe that at the end of the day, everybody will be on the same page.
“The ultimate goal is to ensure that the party and the candidate win. Historically, the Kwankwasiyya has always remained independent, even of political parties. So, I don’t think it will be different now.
“I also believe in the Obidient Movement, just as I know that the OK Movement is also another movement; it runs on its own principles. So, Obidients and Kwankwasiyya still exist on their own.
“Again, I believe every Nigerian, as enshrined in the constitution, has a right to associate and be part of any organisation. The most important thing is for the party to understand this as well and work out something that will be better than just fixing things that are not literally important, as it is doing now.”
Mohammed highlighted that the ultimate objective of the various groups was to support the Obi-Kwankwaso ticket and that the party should create an acceptable atmosphere for support groups to operate without unnecessary restrictions.
“What we need is to create an acceptable atmosphere for all the support groups so that whoever wants to support the party in whichever way they deem can do that.
“More so, we have several associations which are putting in money and not asking for anything in return. They have seen some qualities in the candidates and are therefore working for their success.
“You should also take into consideration that a large chunk of members from these groups and movements are from other parties who agree to work together for the Obi-Kwankwaso ticket.
“If you got into Kano now, the people there are not interested in identifying with any political platform. They will ask you which one is for Kwankwaso.
“That is the complexity of this issue. There are several individual candidates, even outside the NDC, who have large support groups.
“Some are not even members of his party. Maybe as time goes on, there will be a middle ground for the party and the movements because I personally think this has more to do with the OK Movement than us,” he stated.
While admitting that a new party like the NDC is still evolving, the Kwankwasiyya leader also called for understanding on the part of the NDC leadership.
Mohammed also urged the party to borrow a leaf from the scores of support groups working in sync with the ruling All Progressives Congress without any of them being forced to register with the APC.
He said, “As I earlier said, the NDC is still in the process of evolution, being a new party and trying to do something different.
“Even in the APC, I am sure you are aware they have the City Boy Movement and different support groups that are not directly under the control of the ruling party.
“These people do their own things, raise funds through different processes, and mobilise people. They are purely independent and doing their own things without any interference by the party.”
The National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, Dr Yunusa Tanko, urged the various groups to avoid disagreements that could distract from the 2027 presidential election.
Tanko, who spoke exclusively with our correspondent by telephone, said the NDC was the platform on which Peter Obi was contesting and that support groups should focus on helping him secure victory.
He said, “The party is a vehicle in which our principal is running. He is contesting on the platform of the NDC. Look, we need to do away with all these unnecessary arguments and focus on the main goal, which is to ensure that Peter Obi wins the 2027 election.
“We align with that and anything legitimate that will help us to win the election. People roll with winners, not losers. If you continue to fight and argue back and forth, it won’t lead to you winning the poll. So, people should look at that particular aspect and come together.
“All the distractions wouldn’t help anyone unless, of course, you are being sent to cause disharmony in our midst. Our goal is to remain focused on Obi winning this election.
“Anything legitimate that can help us to do that is welcome. And exactly where our principal directs us to head is where we will go.
“So, we don’t want to dwell too long on this trivial issue. All we are interested in is to focus on winning the poll for our candidate. That is the most important thing.”
(Punch)
