By Reporter Immaculate Ebiboere Agregor

Several state chairmen of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) have reaffirmed the supremacy of the party over support groups and political movements, amid reported disagreements over the operations of the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The chairmen made their positions known in separate interviews with Punch, with some alleging that support groups had sidelined existing party structures, while others said there was no disagreement in their states and that arrangements were being made to accommodate various interest groups.

The NDC Chairman in Osun State, Charles Omidiji, said no movement or support group was superior to the party.

Omidiji said there was nothing wrong with candidates conducting separate engagements with supporters, provided such activities received the approval of the party and involved the existing party structure.

He maintained that candidates should not organise campaigns in isolation, stressing that the party would be held responsible if any crisis occurred during campaign activities.

According to him, the party remains responsible for coordinating the campaign structure and supervising election activities.

“They are just groups, and we have said that the groups cannot do their campaign in isolation. They may have one-on-one campaigns because you cannot tell a candidate not to campaign on his own. They can campaign on their own, but they will refer back to the party to carry them along,” Omidiji said.

He added that candidates who proceeded with campaigns under their respective movements without involving the party would be operating independently of the party structure.

Omidiji said such candidates would also have to bear responsibility for the consequences of conducting political activities outside the established party structure.

He further disclosed that the party was working with support and interest groups to develop what he described as a robust campaign structure ahead of the 2027 elections.

Anambra Chairman Raises Alarm

However, the NDC Chairman in Anambra State, David Chukwudifu, alleged that the Obidient Movement had sidelined the existing party structure in the state.

Chukwudifu claimed that he and the 326 ward chairmen in Anambra had been excluded from political activities involving the movement.

He said the state chapter was relying on the national leadership of the party to intervene and resolve the matter.

According to him, attempts had also been made to reach the NDC presidential candidate, Peter Obi, over the situation.

“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,” he said.

Chukwudifu alleged that existing party structures had been sidelined since the Obidient Movement joined the party, warning that continued disagreement could affect preparations for the 2027 elections.

Ogun NDC Says No Disagreement

In Ogun State, however, NDC Chairman Femi Alao dismissed reports of a disagreement between the party and the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement.

Alao maintained that all political movements and support groups must operate with the approval of the party.

“There is nothing like disagreement between the NDC and the OK Movement. What we are saying is that the party is supreme and we should all come together to have a common front,” he said.

He added that mechanisms had been put in place to accommodate the various interest groups within the party’s campaign structure.

Kano Chairman Reaffirms Party Authority

The NDC Chairman in Kano State, Hussaini Meriga, also insisted that the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement must operate within the rules and regulations of the party.

Meriga noted that although Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso had previously operated separate political movements, their movements were now operating under the party platform.

“The party is supreme over any other movement. Though Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso had their separate movements before coming into the same platform to contest, their movements are under the party. They must obey the party’s rules and regulations,” he stated.

Adamawa Denies Division

Meanwhile, the NDC Chairman in Adamawa State, Ibrahim Bebetu, denied reports of a dispute between the party and the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement in the state.

Bebetu said the party was working with the various interest groups and disclosed that the national headquarters would release another campaign list designed to accommodate them.

“We are working together. There is nothing like division among us. We will still have another campaign list to accommodate every interest group,” he said.

The comments from the various state chairmen reflect differing accounts of the relationship between existing NDC structures and the support movements as the party prepares for the 2027 general elections.