2027: OK movement rejects NDC’s control over campaign council, demands apology

The political dispute between the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and the Obi-Kwankwaso (OK) Movement has deepened over the 59-member Presidential Campaign Council unveiled by the support group ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The OK Movement has rejected the NDC’s decision to dissociate itself from the council, insisting that it remains an independent political organisation with its own leadership, structure and internal processes.

The development followed the unveiling of the 59-member council by the movement on Thursday, with John Ughulu named Director-General and Saadatu Sani as National Secretary.

However, NDC National Chairman, Cleopas Moses, subsequently declared that the council did not emanate from the party and urged the public and media to disregard the announcement.

Moses maintained that only the party leadership could constitute and announce a presidential campaign council, warning members, candidates and support groups against creating campaign structures in the party’s name without prior approval from the National Working Committee (NWC).

Responding in a statement on Sunday, Sani said the OK Movement did not require the personal approval or validation of any individual within the NDC to carry out its organisational activities.

She urged the NDC chairman to familiarise himself with the party’s constitution before making what she described as “unguided assertions” concerning the movement.

According to Sani, although the OK Movement recognises the authority of political parties within their constitutional and statutory spheres, it is not a subordinate organ of the NDC.

“The OK Movement does not require the personal validation or approval of any individual before exercising its legitimate organisational functions in accordance with established processes,” she said.

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She added that the movement would continue to campaign for the NDC’s presidential and vice-presidential candidates, Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso, as well as other candidates it had resolved to support.

Sani also dismissed suggestions that the movement was dependent on any individual or political office holder, saying it was founded from the grassroots and had its own leadership and organisational processes.

She claimed that the movement had approximately 2.5 million registered members and coordinators in its internal database across the country.

“The OK Movement is not a temporary support group created for an election cycle, but an organisation with philosophy, structure and long-term vision,” she said.

Sani said the group was advocating a political system focused on economic opportunity, accountability and placing citizens at the centre of governance.

Dispute over Ughulu

The OK Movement secretary also addressed allegations concerning Ughulu and his alleged role in the Lagos State primary election.

The NDC had indicated that Ughulu could be referred to the party’s disciplinary organ over what its chairman described as alleged “excesses” during the Lagos primary and repeated disregard for party authority.

Sani said the movement would defend its members whenever their integrity was questioned but would not engage in personal attacks or defamatory exchanges.

She consequently demanded that the NDC chairman withdraw statements considered defamatory and apologise to the movement and Ughulu.

“The OK Movement will not compromise its standards. The OK Movement will not surrender its independence. The OK Movement will not be intimidated,” Sani said.

The disagreement has brought the relationship between the NDC and one of the grassroots groups supporting its 2027 presidential ticket into sharper focus, with both sides maintaining different positions on the extent of the party’s authority over support-group structures.

The political dispute between the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and the Obi-Kwankwaso (OK) Movement has deepened over the 59-member Presidential Campaign Council unveiled by the support group ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The OK Movement has rejected the NDC’s decision to dissociate itself from the council, insisting that it remains an independent political organisation with its own leadership, structure and internal processes.

The development followed the unveiling of the 59-member council by the movement on Thursday, with John Ughulu named Director-General and Saadatu Sani as National Secretary.

However, NDC National Chairman, Cleopas Moses, subsequently declared that the council did not emanate from the party and urged the public and media to disregard the announcement.

Moses maintained that only the party leadership could constitute and announce a presidential campaign council, warning members, candidates and support groups against creating campaign structures in the party’s name without prior approval from the National Working Committee (NWC).

Responding in a statement on Sunday, Sani said the OK Movement did not require the personal approval or validation of any individual within the NDC to carry out its organisational activities.

She urged the NDC chairman to familiarise himself with the party’s constitution before making what she described as “unguided assertions” concerning the movement.

According to Sani, although the OK Movement recognises the authority of political parties within their constitutional and statutory spheres, it is not a subordinate organ of the NDC.

“The OK Movement does not require the personal validation or approval of any individual before exercising its legitimate organisational functions in accordance with established processes,” she said.

She added that the movement would continue to campaign for the NDC’s presidential and vice-presidential candidates, Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso, as well as other candidates it had resolved to support.

Sani also dismissed suggestions that the movement was dependent on any individual or political office holder, saying it was founded from the grassroots and had its own leadership and organisational processes.

She claimed that the movement had approximately 2.5 million registered members and coordinators in its internal database across the country.

“The OK Movement is not a temporary support group created for an election cycle, but an organisation with philosophy, structure and long-term vision,” she said.

Sani said the group was advocating a political system focused on economic opportunity, accountability and placing citizens at the centre of governance.

Dispute over Ughulu

The OK Movement secretary also addressed allegations concerning Ughulu and his alleged role in the Lagos State primary election.

The NDC had indicated that Ughulu could be referred to the party’s disciplinary organ over what its chairman described as alleged “excesses” during the Lagos primary and repeated disregard for party authority.

Sani said the movement would defend its members whenever their integrity was questioned but would not engage in personal attacks or defamatory exchanges.

She consequently demanded that the NDC chairman withdraw statements considered defamatory and apologise to the movement and Ughulu.

“The OK Movement will not compromise its standards. The OK Movement will not surrender its independence. The OK Movement will not be intimidated,” Sani said.

The disagreement has brought the relationship between the NDC and one of the grassroots groups supporting its 2027 presidential ticket into sharper focus, with both sides maintaining different positions on the extent of the party’s authority over support-group structures.