The rift within Nigeria's political landscape has intensified as the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement responded to the Nigeria Democratic Congress's (NDC) disassociation from its Presidential Campaign Council. The NDC had previously stated that only its leadership can constitute and announce a Presidential Campaign Council. This move comes after the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement unveiled its own council last Thursday. The NDC's National Chairman, Senator Cleopas Moses, signed the statement personally.
The Obi-Kwankwaso Movement has fired back at the NDC, asserting that it cannot be intimidated. In a statement signed by its National Secretary, Saadatu Sani, the movement claimed that the NDC misunderstood its character, structure, independence, and constitutional foundation. The movement is working with the NDC's presidential and vice-presidential candidates, Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso. The Obi-Kwankwaso Movement questioned the NDC's national chairman's understanding of his own party's constitution.
The Obi-Kwankwaso Movement's statement described the NDC's publication as unfortunate and reflective of a serious misunderstanding. The movement advised Senator Cleopas Moses to revisit and familiarize himself with the NDC's constitution before making assertions about the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement's rights and independence. The statement also called on the national chairman to withdraw defamatory statements and tender an apology to the OK Movement and its National Director-General, John Ughulu.
The Obi-Kwankwaso Movement emphasized that it is bigger than any individual or group of individuals, with an ideology that will outlive its founding members. The movement's principles and moral values remain its guiding principles, and it will not compromise them for political convenience. The OK Movement recognizes the supremacy of political parties within their constitutional and statutory sphere and the importance of working with the NDC.
As an independent political movement, the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement has its own leadership, organisational structure, ideology, and internal processes. It will campaign for the presidential and vice-presidential candidates of the NDC and support its candidates across the country. However, the movement does not require personal validation or approval from any individual before exercising its organisational functions.
The Obi-Kwankwaso Movement described itself as an organic movement built from the grassroots, not dependent on sponsorship. It will continue to campaign for its candidates and support the NDC's candidates where it has resolved to do so. The movement's independence and organisational functions will not be compromised.
The escalating rift between the NDC and the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement raises questions about the potential impact on their joint campaign efforts. The situation will be closely watched as the campaign season progresses. The two groups will need to resolve their differences to effectively support their candidates.
Key points
- The Obi-Kwankwaso Movement has asserted its independence from the NDC.
- The NDC had disassociated itself from the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement's Presidential Campaign Council.
- The rift between the two groups may impact their joint campaign efforts.
