The Obi-Kwankwaso Movement, known as the OK Movement, has demanded an immediate apology from the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) over comments made by the party's National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas. The OK Movement's National Secretary, Saadatu Sani, issued a statement in Abuja on Sunday, rejecting Cleopas' claims that the movement's 59-member Presidential Campaign Council was not authorised by the party.
The dispute began after the OK Movement unveiled its 59-member Presidential Campaign Council on Thursday, as part of its mobilisation efforts for the NDC presidential ticket of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso. However, the NDC subsequently distanced itself from the structure, with Cleopas stating that the campaign council was not recognised as an official structure of the NDC.
Sani warned that the movement would not be intimidated into abandoning its structure or submitting its internal affairs to individuals within the NDC. She described the OK Movement as an independent political organisation with its own leadership, structures, membership, and internal decision-making process.
The OK Movement's demand for an apology comes days after the NDC formally dissociated itself from the campaign council, stating that only its authorised leadership could constitute and announce a Presidential Campaign Council in its name. The NDC also maintained that support groups remained important to its political mobilisation but should not present themselves as parallel organs of the party.
Sani claimed that the movement had built a nationwide grassroots network with an internal database containing about 2.5 million registered members and coordinators. She said the size of the structure demonstrated why the organisation should not be treated as an ordinary campaign support group.
The latest disagreement also touches on allegations surrounding the role of the OK Movement's Director-General, John Ughulu, in the NDC's Lagos State primary. The NDC had earlier referred Ughulu to its appropriate disciplinary organ over what it described as his conduct during the primary and alleged disregard for party authority.
The NDC has sought to play down the idea that the party is opposed to the Obi and Kwankwaso support movements, with the party's National Secretary, Osa Director, stating that the NDC remained proud to have the Obidient and Kwankwasiya movements within its political structure.
Key points
- The OK Movement demands an apology from the NDC over comments on its 59-member Presidential Campaign Council.
- The NDC has distanced itself from the OK Movement's campaign council, citing a lack of authorisation.
- The OK Movement asserts its independence as a political organisation, with its own leadership and structures.
