Nigeria: As NDC, O-K Movement's Feud Deepens

What the report says

Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) is facing fresh internal tensions after a Court of Appeal ruling overturned a lower court decision that had threatened the party’s registration. The development, reported by This Day and carried by AllAfrica, briefly raised hopes that the opposition could concentrate on building for the 2027 general election. Instead, the party has remained divided over leadership decisions and the role of the Obi-Kwankwaso (O-K) Movement.

According to the report, one major dispute involves the appointment of former Secretary to the Government of the Federation Babachir Lawal as NDC’s North-east campaign coordinator. The party’s governorship candidates in the region publicly rejected the move, saying they had not been consulted. The disagreement worsened after Lawal responded sharply online, prompting criticism from the campaign team of Adamawa governorship candidate Aisha Binani. The episode highlighted wider concerns about consultation, discipline and cohesion within the party.

A separate rift has emerged between the NDC leadership and supporters of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso, who are organized under the O-K Movement. The movement announced its own 59-member presidential campaign council, but party chairman Moses Cleopas said no individual or support group was authorized to create such a structure in the party’s name. The movement insisted its council remained valid, while NDC leaders argued support groups should back the party rather than act like parallel political formations.

The report suggests these disputes could weaken NDC’s ability to challenge the ruling APC in 2027. It also provides context for Nigeria’s broader opposition politics, where alliances among major figures can be politically useful but also difficult to manage.