The Obidient-Kwankwaso (OK) Movement has rejected the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC)’s decision to disown its 59-member presidential campaign council, saying it does not require the approval of any individual within the party to carry out its organisational activities.
The movement’s National Secretary, Saadatu Sani, made the position known in a statement on Sunday, following the NDC’s rejection of the campaign council.
The OK Movement, a support group for NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, unveiled the 59-member council on Thursday.
John Ughulu was named its National Director-General, while Ms Sani was appointed National Secretary. The council includes zonal and state coordinators, as well as officials responsible for mobilisation, women’s affairs, strategy, security and legal affairs. (TheCable)
However, NDC National Chairman Moses Cleopas subsequently distanced the party from the council, saying the list did not emanate from the party and urging the public to disregard it. (TheCable)
In response, Ms Sani said the movement recognised the authority of political parties within constitutional and statutory boundaries but maintained that the OK Movement was an independent organisation with its own leadership and internal processes.
“The OK Movement does not require the personal validation or approval of any individual before exercising its legitimate organisational functions in accordance with established processes,” she said.
She also urged the NDC chairman to familiarise himself with the party’s constitution before making what she described as “unguided assertions”.
Ms Sani said the movement would continue to campaign for Mr Obi and Mr Kwankwaso, as well as other NDC candidates where it had resolved to support them.
She further said the movement was built from the grassroots and did not depend on sponsorship from any individual or political office holder.
According to her, the OK Movement was not seeking political appointments or positions within the NDC in exchange for its support.
She claimed the movement had developed a nationwide grassroots structure with internal records showing about 2.5 million registered members and coordinators.
Ms Sani also defended Mr Ughulu following allegations concerning his alleged involvement in the Lagos State primaries, saying the matter required clarification.
She said the movement would defend its members when their integrity was questioned but would not engage in personal insults or defamatory exchanges.
Ms Sani called on the NDC national chairman to withdraw statements the movement considered defamatory and apologise to the organisation and Mr Ughulu.
She ended by insisting that the movement would maintain its independence and continue to pursue its stated organisational objectives ahead of the 2027 elections.
The dispute comes as both the NDC and the OK Movement seek to organise campaign structures around the Obi-Kwankwaso ticket, with the party maintaining that its official presidential campaign council remains a matter for the party leadership.
