Summary: NDC National Leader Seriake Dickson has slammed the Obidient-Kwankwaso (OK) Movement over their decision to establish a 59-member presidential campaign council, calling the move unnecessary and out of place.
Seriake Dickson, the National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has come out swinging against the Obidient-Kwankwaso (OK) Movement, describing their move to set up a 59-member presidential campaign council as a step that is completely out of order.
For those who may not be fully up to speed, the OK Movement is the alliance formed between the Labour Party’s Peter Obi supporters — popularly known as the Obidients — and the camp of NNPP presidential candidate Rabiu Kwankwaso. The idea was simple: combine forces, make noise, and shake things up ahead of the elections. But according to Dickson, setting up a campaign council is where they have overstepped their bounds.
Dickson Drops the Hammer
Speaking on the matter, the former Bayelsa State governor did not mince words. He made it clear that the OK Movement, as a coalition or support group, has no legitimate business establishing the kind of formal campaign structure that only a registered political party should operate. In his view, the move amounts to putting the cart before the horse — a classic Nigerian wahala of jumping steps in a process that has a defined order.
Dickson’s position raises valid questions about the structure and legality of what the OK Movement is trying to do. Are they a political party? Are they a pressure group? Or are they simply a social movement riding the wave of public sentiment? These are questions that Nigerians — especially those energised by the youthful, social-media-driven Obidient movement — need to seriously consider.
What This Means for Nigerian Politics
This back-and-forth is more than just political banter. It speaks to a deeper issue in Nigeria’s democratic journey — the blurring of lines between civil society movements and formal political structures. While Nigerians have every right to organise and mobilise support for candidates they believe in, doing so through structures that mimic or duplicate official party machinery could create confusion, legal complications, and even internal conflict.
As the 2023 general elections draw closer, Nigerians must pay close attention to how these alliances are being managed. The excitement around Peter Obi and the Obidient movement has been electric — from Lagos to Abuja, from Twitter to the streets of Nnewi — but excitement alone does not win elections. Structure, strategy, and staying within the rules of engagement matter just as much.
The Bigger Picture
Dickson’s criticism is a reminder that Nigerian politics remains a complex, high-stakes game where every move is scrutinised. Whether you are a supporter of the APC, PDP, Labour Party, or NNPP, one thing is certain — the road to Aso Rock is paved with both passion and process.
The OK Movement would do well to clarify its role, define its boundaries, and ensure that its enthusiasm does not trip it up before the real contest even begins.
As they say in Nigeria — “Before you run, make sure you know the road.”
Head to buzzUp9ja for more updates
Be the first to comment