A fresh crisis is looming within Nigeria's Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) party due to a disagreement between the party leadership and the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement, popularly known as the OK Movement. The dispute centers on the authority of the movement to organise and mobilise support for the party's candidates ahead of the 2027 general election. The OK Movement has rejected the NDC National Chairman's position on a 59-member Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) unveiled by the support group.
The NDC had already dissociated itself from the council, maintaining that only the party leadership could constitute and announce its campaign structures. The OK Movement responded, insisting it is an independent political movement with its own leadership, organisational structure, ideology, and internal processes. The movement demands that the NDC National Chairman, Senator Cleopas Moses, withdraw statements considered defamatory and tender an apology to the organisation and its National Director-General, Hon. John Ozyl Ughulu.
The OK Movement's decision to support NDC candidates does not amount to submitting its organisational structure to the party's control, according to a statement signed by its National Secretary, Saadatu Sani. The movement recognises the supremacy of political parties within their constitutional and statutory sphere but maintains its independence. It declared that it would campaign for NDC presidential and vice-presidential candidates in areas where it has resolved to support them.
The dispute follows the NDC's earlier public rejection of the 59-member PCC announced under the OK Movement banner. The party had said the announcement did not emanate from its leadership and should be disregarded by the public and the media. It further maintained that NDC candidates remained subject to the authority and discipline of the party.
The OK Movement also rejected any suggestion that its activities were motivated by the pursuit of political appointments or positions within the party. The group stated that its support is based on the principles upon which the movement was founded. This clarification aims to address concerns about the movement's intentions and commitment to the party.
The crisis has widened from a disagreement over the status of a campaign council into a broader dispute over the relationship between the NDC as a political party and the independent movement supporting its presidential ticket. The situation may impact the party's preparations for the 2027 general election and its overall performance.
The NDC party leadership and the OK Movement must resolve their differences to avoid further divisions and strengthen the party's chances in the upcoming election. The party's ability to present a united front will be crucial in its bid to secure votes and achieve its goals.
Key points
- The OK Movement has rejected the NDC party leadership's control over its campaign council.
- The dispute centers on the authority of the OK Movement to organise and mobilise support for NDC candidates.
- The crisis may impact the NDC party's preparations for the 2027 general election.
