A fresh crisis is looming within Nigeria's Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) due to a disagreement between the party leadership and the Obi-Kwankwaso (OK) Movement. The OK Movement has rejected the NDC National Chairman, Senator Cleopas Moses' position on a 59-member Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) unveiled by the support group. The NDC had dissociated itself from the council, stating only the party leadership could constitute and announce its campaign structures.
The OK Movement insists it is an independent political movement with its own leadership, organisational structure, ideology, and internal processes. The movement demands that Moses withdraw statements considered defamatory and tender an apology to the organisation and its National Director-General, Hon. John Ozyl Ughulu. This development has widened the disagreement over the status of a campaign council into a broader dispute over the relationship between the NDC and the OK Movement.
The OK Movement's National Secretary, Saadatu Sani, stated that their decision to support NDC candidates did not amount to submitting their organisational structure to the party's control. The movement recognises the supremacy of political parties within their constitutional and statutory sphere but maintains its independence. The NDC had already dissociated itself from the PCC, citing the party leadership's authority to constitute and announce campaign structures.
National Assembly Candidate for Ideato North and South Federal Constituency, Mr Ceejay Henry Ezebuiro, has accused South-East zonal leaders of the NDC of making death threats to his life. Ezebuiro claims the leaders, including National Vice-Chairman Teddy Obe, National Secretary Ikenna Morgan, Chief Martin Agbaso, and former Imo State governor Achike Udenwa, demanded N150 million from him. Ezebuiro emerged victorious in the May 28, 2026 National Assembly primary.
Ezebuiro dismissed a High Court action filed by his co-contender, Uchenna Omelonye, as technically defective, having been filed 67 days after the primary. His name is already on the INEC list as the NDC candidate. Ezebuiro's allegations against the NDC leaders have added to the party's crisis. The OK Movement's rejection of party control and demands for an apology from Moses have further complicated the situation.
The NDC's relationship with the OK Movement has become strained due to the disagreement over the PCC and the movement's independence. The OK Movement's insistence on its independence has led to a broader dispute over the relationship between the two entities. The crisis may affect the NDC's performance in the 2027 general election.
The NDC and OK Movement's disagreement highlights the challenges faced by political parties and their support groups in Nigeria. The crisis may lead to a re-evaluation of the relationships between political parties and independent movements. Key to resolving the crisis is addressing the OK Movement's demands and finding a mutually beneficial solution for both parties.
Key points
- The OK Movement rejects NDC's control, demands apology from Senator Cleopas Moses.
- NDC's National Assembly candidate, Ceejay Henry Ezebuiro, alleges death threats from party leaders.
- The crisis may affect the NDC's performance in the 2027 general election.
