National Chairman of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Moses Cleopas, has warned support groups backing the party and its candidates against interfering in the statutory functions of the party, saying such actions could create unnecessary friction ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Cleopas gave the warning while addressing journalists at the NDC National Secretariat in Abuja, where he stressed that the party recognised and appreciated the critical role of support groups in mobilising voters and strengthening the party’s electoral chances.

According to him, the NDC is support group friendly and would continue to accommodate groups working to promote the party and its candidates.

He said the party had established a Directorate of Mobilisation under the Office of the National Organising Secretary to register, coordinate and work with support groups across the country.

The national chairman, however, drew a clear distinction between the responsibilities of support groups and those of the party leadership.

“The support groups are not the managers of the party. As their name implies, they are support groups, mobilising support for the party and its candidates to win elections,” he said.

Cleopas said the distinction was necessary to prevent avoidable conflicts, stressing that while support groups were essential to the party’s mobilisation strategy, they could not assume responsibilities constitutionally assigned to the party.

He cited the Obidient Movement and Kwankwasiyya Movement as examples of support structures whose activities should be welcomed rather than viewed as a threat by party managers.

“Why would we be here and not love an Obidient Movement? Why would we not be proud that we have a presidential candidate that has a movement that is Obidient, that will gather enough support for him?” he asked.

He added that the same principle applied to the Kwankwasiyya Movement supporting the party’s vice-presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso.

Cleopas said support groups and party structures should work together, but within clearly defined responsibilities.

He specifically rejected the idea of support groups forming presidential campaign councils, saying such structures remained the responsibility of the political party.

According to him, however, members of support groups could still play prominent roles in such committees once constituted by the party.

“If today we are talking about mobilisation, Directorate of Mobilisation in the Presidential Campaign Council, who will be there? Is it not the support group managers, the senior hands, so that they can mobilise the whole of their groups?” he asked.

The NDC chairman also clarified the role of support groups and the party in the appointment and submission of electoral agents to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

He said while support groups could recommend individuals based on their strength and organisational capacity, the formal submission of agents to INEC remained the responsibility of the party.

“Who will submit agents to INEC? Is it support groups that will submit agents to INEC? … That is a party responsibility, a party function,” he said.

Cleopas further warned party officials at various levels against taking unilateral actions to remove elected party officers, insisting that such actions were unconstitutional.

He said NDC party officers were elected for fixed terms and could not simply be removed by another officeholder without following the procedures prescribed by the party’s constitution.

“I am not appointed, I am elected with my NWC, with a mandate for four years. And so, you can’t just wake up and come and tell me, today I have removed you,” he said.

The NDC chairman explained that the party’s constitution provided procedures for the replacement or removal of officers in circumstances including death, resignation and disciplinary action.

He warned state and local government party leaders against arbitrarily dissolving party executives or removing elected officials, saying such actions could expose the party to unnecessary litigation.

“The National Working Committee will not back anything that is not constitutional,” he said.

Cleopas also assured party members and supporters that the NDC was not inactive, despite perceptions that the party had been relatively quiet in the build-up to the 2027 elections.

He said the party was currently focused on planning and strategy, insisting that it was determined to avoid mistakes as it prepared for what he described as a major political battle.

“We are not quiet. We are only planning and strategising to get it right,” he said.

The NDC chairman said the party had also resolved that its victory must be announced, adding that its logo had already been uploaded on the relevant portal.

He called on party members and supporters across Nigeria and in the diaspora to remain committed, saying the party appreciated the support it had received.

Cleopas conveyed the appreciation of the party’s National Leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, presidential candidate Peter Obi and vice-presidential candidate Rabiu Kwankwaso to party supporters for their backing.

He expressed confidence that the NDC would prevail in the 2027 elections, likening the party’s struggle to the biblical battle between David and Goliath.

“We believe that Goliath is big. We believe that Goliath has worn all the war uniforms. But we also believe, as NDC, that it is David,” he said. (Saturday Tribune)