The OK Movement, a support group for Nigeria's 2027 presidential candidate Peter Obi and his running mate Rabiu Kwankwaso, has acknowledged that its recently disowned presidential campaign council was created unofficially. Emmanuel Idakwo, spokesperson for the OK Movement, revealed this on a Channels TV breakfast program, stating that the council was not officially sanctioned by the group or its leaders. According to Idakwo, even Peter Obi was unaware of the council's creation.
The OK Movement is one of several independent groups mobilizing support for Obi and Kwankwaso, who are affiliated with the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). A face-off had emerged between the NDC leadership and the OK Movement after the party disowned the campaign council unveiled by the support group. The NDC had warned that the action could destabilize the party, while the OK Movement insisted it did not require the party's validation or approval to exercise its organizational functions.
Idakwo emphasized that the OK Movement has a cordial relationship with the NDC and its National Leader, Seriake Dickson. He argued that statements made by supposed supporters of Obi on social media are often attributed to the OK Movement, but these are not officially endorsed by the group's leadership. Idakwo suggested that the creation of the campaign council and other remarks attributed to the OK Movement were "never done by any official leadership" of the support group.
The OK Movement spokesperson alleged that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is behind the crisis in the NDC, aiming to discredit the party. Idakwo claimed that the APC is amplifying minor issues, such as the campaign council controversy, to create an impression that the opposition party is divided. He believes that online stories and comments from individuals are being fueled by APC supporters to undermine the NDC.
When contacted for comments, APC spokesperson Felix Morka asked for questions to be sent via text message but had not responded as of the time of reporting. The NDC had given Obi and Kwankwaso the power to nominate choice leaders of the party's soon-to-be unveiled presidential campaign council. The OK Movement's 59-member campaign council was constituted on September 17 to mobilize support for Obi and Kwankwaso ahead of the 2027 election.
The crisis between the NDC and OK Movement began after the support group unveiled its campaign council, which the NDC disowned. The OK Movement had claimed that its council would operate independently of the NDC's council. In response, the NDC warned that the action could destabilize the party, leading to a public spat between the two groups.
The OK Movement's reversal on the campaign council issue and its allegations against the APC have significant implications for the NDC and the 2027 presidential election. The development highlights the challenges faced by opposition parties in Nigeria and the role of support groups in mobilizing support for candidates. The situation remains fluid, with the NDC and OK Movement yet to resolve their differences.
Key points
- The OK Movement has acknowledged that its recently disowned presidential campaign council was created unofficially.
- The group accuses the ruling APC of stoking crisis in the NDC to discredit the party.
- The NDC had given Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso the power to nominate leaders of the party's soon-to-be unveiled presidential campaign council.
