2027: NDC, Obi-Kwankwaso support groups have misunderstanding – Buba Galadima

Buba Galadima, a prominent chieftain of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has revealed a significant misunderstanding between the party and the support groups that are backing its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso. Galadima made these remarks during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today program, discussing the dispute between the NDC and the OK Movement over the organization and structure of these support groups in the lead-up to the 2027 general elections.

Earlier, the NDC withdrew its support for the 59-member presidential campaign council proposed by the OK Movement, stating that the structure was not authorized by the party and should be ignored. This move led to tension, with the OK Movement maintaining that they are an independently organized political movement and would not relinquish their structures or combine them with the NDC.

Galadima emphasized that the disagreement largely arose from a misunderstanding of the relationship between political parties and support groups. He noted that support groups are not intended to be party members and should operate independently. However, they must adhere to the party's directives if they choose to align themselves with the party's presidential candidate or other election candidates at various levels.

Galadima’s insights come in the wake of NDC National Leader Seriake Dickson’s criticism of the OK Movement's decision to create a separate campaign council, arguing that support groups should focus on grassroots mobilization rather than function as parallel structures to the party.