NDC chieftain warns Obedient Movement against internal destabilisation

​From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa

​A chieftain of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and former spokesman of the Ijaw Youth Congress (IYC), Mr Ebilade Ekerefe, has warned against the destabilisation of the party by groups, especially the Obedient Movement operating within the party.

​Recently, the leadership of the party had cautioned against groups operating within the party on their overbearing attitude.

​Ekerefe, in a statement on his Facebook page addressed to those he called “Unapologetic Obedient Members”, urged them to stick with the rules of NDC as a party, or they go and run their own party.

​He stated that committed members of NDC would not allow the Obidient Movement to intimidate and gaslight the leadership of the party to do its bidding.

​Reaffirming his confidence in the ability of the national leader, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, to manage conflicts within the party, he reiterated that the NDC is not a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to contest elections.

​“If you’re a movement, as has been alluded to, go and establish a political party and run it the way you like, and allow those who are genuinely committed to the ideals of the NDC to thrive. You should have a modicum of respect for the leader and founder of the NDC, who gave Obidients a political platform devoid of litigation to pursue their political aspirations at a time when other parties are deliberately disorganised by the ruling government through surrogates.

​“You have to subsume yourself to the guiding philosophy of the NDC or gently work away. Nobody was coerced into joining. We will not accept anyone, no matter who you are, to gaslight a party that is just 5 months old and still building. If you think it is easy to establish a political party that has become a national pride in this hostile political environment, then go and try, let alone navigating it through the boobytraps set on the way by the ruling party.

​“You cannot blackmail the NDC into succumbing. Know that the national leader is a man known for discipline, law, and order. This party is building for the future and not a special purpose vehicle for just elections. Take note. And for those who are genuinely concerned about developments within the party, be patient and trust in the national leader’s political experience and sagacity to navigate the NDC into Political Eldorado in spite of the challenges,” he said.