A chieftain of the Obidient OK Coalition, Chief Odinaka Emejuru, has urged Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidates to engage grassroots support groups ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Emejuru, the coalition’s Orlu Zonal Coordinator, made the call in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja.
He warned candidates against relying solely on Peter Obi’s popularity, urging them to demonstrate commitment to grassroots structures associated with the Obidient Movement.
According to him, the coalition learnt valuable lessons from the 2023 general elections, when some politicians who benefited from Obi’s popularity later defected to other political parties.
He said the experience had reinforced the need to assess candidates’ character, track records and commitment before supporting their political ambitions.
Emejuru expressed concern that some NDC candidates in Imo State and other parts of the country had yet to demonstrate adequate engagement with established Obidient support groups.
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While acknowledging candidates’ right to organise their campaigns independently, he said their willingness to work with grassroots structures would influence the coalition’s decision on whom to support.
He urged NDC candidates, as well as Obidient supporters contesting under other party platforms, to strengthen their relationships with the coalition’s structures in their constituencies.
Emejuru warned candidates against taking the coalition’s support for granted as political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 elections.
