THE UNDERCURRENT AT NDC
LEONARD ONOTAKEVWE urges the party to put its house in order There is something increasingly difficult to ignore in the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). On the surface, the party has
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) faces an undercurrent of uncertainty as it prepares for the 2027 presidential election. Although the party boasts a seemingly strong presidential ticket between Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, along with the support of the Obidient movement and the Kwankwasiyya movement, a growing concern exists regarding the true control of the NDC's political machinery. This question may appear organizational but can quickly turn political, especially with only a year away from the election.
Recent events, such as the criticism faced by National Leader Seriake Dickson, have intensified the dispute over NDC leadership and control. Dickson has made it clear that the NDC is not a political benefactor but rather provides a platform for politicians. Furthermore, he emphasized his own allegiance to the NDC, stating that he could have been the party's presidential candidate himself.
This stance may not seem contradictory, but it becomes a problem when the party and support movements appear to have conflicting identities.
The tension escalated when the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement unveiled a 59-member presidential campaign council, which the NDC leadership rejected as unaligned with the party. The movement argued that they were an independent political organization, while the NDC insisted that they operate within the party's constitutional sphere. Peter Obi clarified that the movement is subordinate to the party, but the dispute over political architecture—such as who commands grassroots structures, appoints campaign officials, and determines the campaign message—continues to divide the NDC.
The public perception of internal uncertainty within the party, coupled with the already ongoing electoral contest, could prove problematic for the NDC. The NDC's establishment appears to be in the midst of sorting out its political forces, which could affect the party's ability to present a unified and coherent campaign. With Obi's campaign already launched and criticisms of his message, the NDC must rapidly integrate the enthusiasm around the candidates into a disciplined, coordinated, and recognizable national campaign.
The comparisons to other political parties highlight the need for the NDC to act swiftly to transform the existing enthusiasm into a formidable campaign machine.
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