ObunikeWhen I addressed the press at the premises of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on 28 September 2026, my love for the NDC and my sense of responsibility for its future compelled me to call publicly for a restructuring of its national leadership.
Since then, different interpretations have been attached to my position. Some believe that my call arose from dissatisfaction with the party’s primaries. Others have linked it to Senator Seriake Dickson’s background, political associations or an alleged visit to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. For the record, let me explain myself.
I remain deeply dissatisfied with the manner in which the primaries were conducted. Their handling raises legitimate questions about the capacity and judgment of the National Working Committee. Nevertheless, my call for restructuring rests on wider concerns about national representation, campaign leadership and our readiness for the 2027 elections.
Dickson’s background in the police has no bearing on my position. Many respected and credible Nigerians have served in the police and other security institutions. Their previous occupation provides no reasonable basis for questioning their integrity or suitability for political leadership.
Neither can I base my position on an alleged visit to President Tinubu. I have not verified that visit, was not present and have no knowledge of what might have been discussed. In any event, a sitting senator and former governor may have legitimate reasons to consult the President. A meeting alone would establish no improper purpose.
The references people make to Dickson’s reported association with the Alliance for Democracy, his maternal connection to Ogun State or his upbringing in the South West are equally irrelevant to my argument. Nigerians are entitled to their family backgrounds, friendships and political histories.
My concern is whether the NDC’s leadership arrangements reflect its national ambition and give its presidential candidate the authority and support required to lead an effective campaign.
At the September press briefing, I specifically questioned the concentration of the party’s highest leadership positions in the South. The National Leader, National Chairman and National Secretary, together with the other National Working Committee members I referred to, were all from the southern part of the country.
Nigeria is multiethnic and religiously diverse. A party seeking to govern it must demonstrate an understanding of the importance of representation, belonging and shared responsibility.
I therefore suggested that either the position of National Chairman or National Secretary should move to the North East or North Central, as neither zone appeared adequately represented at the highest level of the party.
Nigerians want to see people they identify with participating meaningfully in the decisions of a party seeking their votes. They want to know that their communities have a voice, that their concerns can reach those making decisions and that they have a stake in the organisation’s future.
Following INEC’s publication of the final lists of National Assembly candidates, reports emerged alleging that the states where the NDC fielded no candidates were all within the North East and North Central geopolitical zones.
Those reports require verification. If accurate, however, they would reinforce the concerns I raised in September. The absence of candidates would not, by itself, explain the party’s difficulties in those states. It would nevertheless demand a serious examination of our organisational reach, local engagement and ability to attract candidates in precisely the zones whose representation I had questioned.
The recently released campaign council list raises further concerns. From my reading, members of the existing NWC retained virtually all the principal leadership positions, with the notable exception of the Campaign Director-General, Ibrahim Hussain Abdulkarim.
He is from Sokoto State in the North West, the same geopolitical zone that already has the party’s vice-presidential candidate. The question of meaningful representation for the North East and North Central therefore remains.
Our National Leader and National Chairman are both from Bayelsa State. Our National Secretary is from the South East and, more specifically, from the same senatorial zone in Anambra State as our presidential candidate.
What additional national reach or organisational advantage does concentrating these positions within the same states and zones give the NDC?
The individuals concerned may each possess experience and ability. But we must also assess the leadership as a whole. Each appointment should help build confidence, widen participation and strengthen the party where it needs deeper roots.
Who provides visible and influential leadership for the NDC in the South West? Who carries comparable responsibility in the North East and North Central? Which senior figures from those zones have the authority, resources and access required to build the party and mobilise their communities?
These questions deserve clear answers.
Senator Dickson’s statement that the National Campaign Council will coordinate the campaigns of all NDC candidates makes this discussion even more necessary. A coordinated campaign can help candidates support one another, build local organisation and strengthen the party’s presence across the country. To achieve those benefits, its leadership must reach beyond the areas already strongly represented.
A campaign council also needs clear lines of responsibility. Announcing its membership and assuring Nigerians that everyone is on the same page does not explain who determines strategy, coordinates resources, resolves disagreements or takes responsibility for the presidential campaign’s direction.
This brings me to my concern about the manner in which Dickson announces visits by our presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi. The repeated presentation of Obi as a visitor received by the National Leader risks creating an impression of political subordination. Whatever the intention, it can diminish the public standing of the person asking Nigerians to entrust him with the presidency.
A meeting hosted by Dickson does not, in itself, establish that he controls Obi. My concern is the cumulative public impression and the absence of a sufficiently clear explanation of Obi’s authority within the campaign.
Obi should be visibly leading his presidential campaign, convening consultations, bringing people together and communicating its direction. Dickson’s experience and support can contribute substantially to that effort within an arrangement that makes responsibility clear.
The person who must answer to Nigerians for the presidential campaign should have meaningful authority over the campaign conducted in his name.
My proposal is therefore straightforward: Dickson should take a back seat in the national campaign, concentrate on his senatorial election and allow Peter Obi to provide clear political leadership for the presidential project.
Alternatively, if Dickson wishes to devote himself fully to administering the party, he should withdraw from the senatorial contest and seek the National Chairmanship through the appropriate party processes. Under that arrangement, the position of National Secretary should move to the North Central or North East.
The purpose is to clarify responsibility, broaden participation and strengthen the party’s national appeal. Relinquishing a title would achieve little if the practical arrangements remained unchanged. What matters is who has authority, how decisions are made and whether the party’s presidential candidate can lead effectively.
The same concern about geographical concentration applies within Anambra State. As I understand the appointments, the presidential candidate, National Secretary and newly appointed Anambra State campaign coordinator are all from Anambra Central.
What additional reach does that concentration give the party?
Why was a suitable person from the Aguata or Orumba axis not considered, particularly when assessing how best to engage the political influence of the governor in that area? What geographical or organisational gap does the appointment fill?
I am concerned that the arrangement could be perceived as placing disproportionate emphasis on Senator Victor Umeh’s re-election. Those responsible should explain how it strengthens the wider NDC campaign across Anambra State. Every appointment should be assessed against the work required throughout the state, including beyond the area where our presidential candidate already has a strong personal connection.
Perception is everything. The NDC already has its presidential candidate, National Secretary and other leaders from Anambra Central Senatorial Zone. What exceptional value would Ifeanyi Ibezim add to the campaign that made it necessary to select him from the same Anambra Central to coordinate the NDC campaign in Anambra State?
That question deserves an answer, particularly when the party has an opportunity to draw capable people from other parts of the state and demonstrate that the campaign belongs to all of Anambra.
Finally, I am aware of unverified rumours suggesting that some within the present leadership are more interested in positioning for 2031 than delivering victory in 2027. I cannot establish those claims and do not present them as facts.
However, any statement made by Dickson on live national television suggesting that he was the best person in the NDC to be its presidential candidate would have ruffled more feathers than necessary and could have fuelled the 2031 gossip, even before the 2027 elections have taken place. The precise words and their full context should be checked before conclusions are drawn.
Leadership comes with enormous responsibilities. Our leaders must be mindful of how their words are received, especially at a time when the party needs unity and confidence in its presidential candidate. Comments that appear to be driven by ego must be checked, because they can distract from the collective task before us.
The leadership can address these suspicions through its decisions: give Obi clear authority to lead, broaden regional participation and organise the party unmistakably around the immediate election.
The NDC’s present presidential candidate is Peter Obi. Its leadership arrangements should give him the support, authority and national organisation required to lead this campaign effectively.
I raised these concerns in September because I wanted the party to succeed. I repeat them because they remain relevant and because there is still an opportunity to act.
If we expect Nigerians across the six geopolitical zones to take ownership of the NDC, we must give them meaningful ownership of its leadership and campaign. Their participation should include a real voice in decisions, alongside the responsibility to mobilise voters.
My concern remains whether we are making the choices necessary to give our party its strongest possible chance in 2027.
The NDC must reflect the Nigeria it seeks to govern.
Obunike Ohaegbu
NDC House of Representatives aspirant for Nnewi North/Nnewi South/Ekwusigo Federal Constituency, writing from his village in Ukpor.
