The Obi-Kwankwaso Movement, popularly known as the OK Movement, has rejected the position of the National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Seriake Dickson, that support groups must operate under the coordination of the political party. The movement insists that it is an independent political organisation and has the right to maintain its structures, coordinate its members, and establish its own campaign and mobilisation mechanisms. This stance was made clear in a statement signed by the National Director-General of the OK Movement, Hon. John Ozyl Ughulu.
According to Ughulu, the OK Movement's collaboration with the NDC over the presidential ticket of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso did not amount to organisational subordination. He argued that the movement had built structures across the country through the efforts of thousands of members and coordinators and would resist any attempt to appropriate or dissolve them without the consent of its legitimate organs. The movement comprises individuals and members from different political parties who share a common commitment to the ideals, values, and political aspirations represented by Obi and Kwankwaso.
Dickson had said that support groups should not compete with the political party sponsoring candidates or establish parallel presidential campaign structures. He stated that support groups were expected to provide grassroots mobilisation for the NDC candidates rather than assume the functions of the party. However, Ughulu said that while the OK Movement agreed with Dickson's description of the Obidient Movement as a support movement, there was a distinction between the Obidient Movement, other support groups, and the OK Movement.
Ughulu emphasised that the OK Movement is an independent political organisation, not a support group created as an appendage of any political party or another movement. He said that the movement was independently organised, managed, and structured through its own established movement mechanisms. The OK Movement also rejected any proposal to merge its structures with those of the NDC or another organisation, saying that cooperation and political alignment do not extinguish the independent identity of the Movement.
The movement maintained that its cooperation with the NDC was based on political alignment rather than organisational control. Ughulu disclosed that the movement would continue to mobilise voters and campaign for the NDC candidates while retaining control of its own structures. He stressed that the OK Movement's loyalty to its preferred candidates was unwavering and that it would mobilise, campaign, vote, and defend every legitimate vote cast for the candidates it supports.
On the issue of campaign structures, Ughulu said that the movement believed it had the right to establish its own campaign council and operational structures in support of Obi and Kwankwaso. He added that the movement was not seeking financial dependence on the NDC, stressing that its activities and mobilisation would remain the responsibility of its members. The OK Movement does not claim supremacy over the NDC Party, nor does it seek to usurp the constitutional powers of the party.
The OK Movement remains committed to working with the NDC and supporting its presidential ticket in the 2027 election. The movement respects the NDC Party and recognises the constitutional authority of the party over its own internal affairs. Equally, the NDC Party and every other organisation must recognise the independent identity, structure, and legitimate interests of the OK Movement. The movement will pursue any disagreement through lawful and democratic means, adding that it remains committed to peaceful participation in the electoral process.
Key points
- The OK Movement has rejected Seriake Dickson's position that support groups must operate under the coordination of the political party.
- The movement insists on establishing its own campaign council and operational structures.
- The OK Movement remains an independent organisation, not a support group created as an appendage of any political party or another movement.
