The OK Movement, a political organization supporting Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso, has declared its independence and structure will not be compromised ahead of the 2027 elections. Director-General John Ughulu emphasized that the movement is not a conventional support group but an independent entity with its own mechanisms. Ughulu made these remarks in response to comments by NDC National Leader, Senator Seriake Dickson.
Senator Dickson had suggested that support groups should complement political parties rather than compete with them or operate as parallel structures. He described the OK Movement's decision to establish a presidential campaign council as "unheard of" and "nonsensical." Dickson made these statements during the unveiling of former Secretary General to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, in Abuja.
Ughulu argued that the OK Movement is distinct from other support groups, comprising members from various political parties who share common ideals and aspirations represented by Obi and Kwankwaso. He stressed that the movement's decision to establish a campaign council is not nonsensical but rather an evolution of politics beyond conventional systems. The OK Movement will continue to mobilize support for the candidates while maintaining its independence.
The movement's Director-General reiterated that its cooperation with the NDC does not imply organizational subordination. Ughulu emphasized that the OK Movement will retain its independence and internal administration, with its structures remaining under its control. The movement will not be collapsed, merged, or subsumed into the NDC or any other organization.
Ughulu further stated that the OK Movement has the right to establish its own campaign and mobilization structures in support of the NDC's candidates. He argued that there is no provision in the party's constitution prohibiting such arrangements. The movement respects the NDC's authority but will resist any attempt to disenfranchise its members or appropriate its structures.
The disagreement between the OK Movement and the NDC arose from the party's decision to dissociate itself from a 59-member Presidential Campaign Council constituted by the OK Movement. The NDC National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas, stated that the party did not authorize the movement to constitute or announce a campaign council in its name.
The OK Movement's National Secretary, Saadatu Sani, demanded an apology from Cleopas, asserting that the movement is an independent political organization with its own leadership and internal processes. The OK Movement will continue to operate independently, maintaining its structures and supporting Obi and Kwankwaso in the 2027 elections.
Key points
- The OK Movement asserts its independence and will not surrender its structure to the NDC or any other organization.
