The OK Movement, a political organization backing the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential ticket of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso, has rejected the NDC's directive to disown its 59-member Presidential Campaign Council. The movement's Director-General, John Ozyl Ughulu, stated that the council remains valid and operational, despite opposition from the party leadership. Ughulu emphasized that the OK Movement is an independent organization with its own leadership, principles, and administrative arrangements.
The disagreement between the OK Movement and the NDC began after the party rejected the 59-member council, warning members and support groups against announcing campaign structures without approval from the party's National Working Committee. NDC National Chairman, Senator Cleopas Moses, stated that the council did not originate from the party and should be disregarded. Moses also maintained that candidates contesting under the NDC platform were subject to the party's authority and discipline.
Ughulu argued that the NDC's authority did not extend to taking over the internal structure of an independent organization. He stated that the OK Movement recognized the NDC as a political party with its own constitutional authority but maintained that this authority did not translate to control over the movement's internal affairs. The OK Movement's council was unveiled earlier in September, with a mandate to coordinate mobilization and political engagement for Obi and Kwankwaso.
The council's structure includes zonal and state coordinators, alongside directors responsible for areas such as mobilization, women affairs, strategy, and planning. Ughulu emphasized that the movement had not been established or funded by the NDC or Obi and therefore could not be treated as an internal organ of the party. He also disclosed that the movement had not depended on financial assistance from Obi or the NDC to establish or maintain its structure.
The OK Movement's director-general, John Ozyl Ughulu, rejected any suggestion that the movement should surrender its structures to the NDC. He maintained that political cooperation did not automatically mean organizational control. The movement has also argued that its members come from different political backgrounds but share support for Obi and Kwankwaso.
The 59-member council announced by the movement is headed by Ughulu as Director-General, while Saadatu Sani serves as National Secretary. Six zonal coordinators were also named to cover the country's six geopolitical zones. The movement said the structure was designed to strengthen grassroots mobilization and political engagement ahead of the 2027 elections.
The NDC had acknowledged the role of support groups in its political activities but drew a distinction between such groups and the official structures of the party. The party's National Leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, had argued that support groups should complement political parties rather than compete with them or operate as alternative campaign structures.
Key points
- The OK Movement has rejected the NDC's directive to disown its 59-member Presidential Campaign Council, citing its independence.
- The movement's council was unveiled earlier in September, with a mandate to coordinate mobilization and political engagement for Obi and Kwankwaso.
- The disagreement between the OK Movement and the NDC has raised questions about the relationship between support groups and political parties in Nigeria.
