The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has slapped down the Obidient and Kwankwasiyya movements, warning it will not become a personality-driven party. The groups are led by NDC presidential hopeful Peter Obi and vice-presidential candidate Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
In a blunt Sunday night statement, the party said it will build a lasting institution based on party supremacy, internal discipline and transparency — not on individuals. It introduced strict financial rules: candidates must fully disclose campaign funds received and spent, and money for presidential, governorship and other races must go through official party campaign accounts.
Osa Director, the party’s national secretary, said the moves came from resolutions at the NDC’s second National Executive Committee meeting. “The NDC is being built as an institution, not a personality cult, political movement, or Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to be used and discarded,” the party said.
Members, aspirants and elected officials must show total loyalty and put the national interest first. “For candidates, there must also be strict accountability for all funding received. Monies sourced by candidates at all levels, and contributions made by candidates to campaign accounts, must be fully disclosed to the party at the appropriate levels (local government, state, zonal, and national),” it added.
“Such funds must be received through dedicated party campaign accounts, including presidential and governorship campaign accounts of the party, as applicable,” the NDC said.
The party also insists its structures are supreme: governments elected on its platform must consult the party on major policies and appointments (except personal staff). It will tighten oversight of affiliated groups, introduce a code of conduct drafted by a committee led by the national legal adviser, and has set up a National Reconciliation Committee to heal rifts.
