OK Movement Decline NDC’s Rejection of 59-Member Campaign Council

By Nafiu Muhammad Lema

The Obidient-Kwankwaso (OK) Movement has rejected the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC)’s disapproval of its 59-member presidential campaign council, insisting that the movement does not require the personal approval of any party official to conduct its internal organisational activities.

The group, which supports NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, said it remains an independent political organisation with its own leadership, structures and established processes.

The position was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by the movement’s National Secretary, Saadatu Sani, in response to comments by NDC National Chairman, Cleopas Moses.

The OK Movement had on Thursday unveiled its presidential campaign council, appointing John Ughulu as National Director-General and Sani as National Secretary.

However, Moses subsequently dissociated the NDC from the council, saying only the party’s leadership had the authority to constitute and announce a presidential campaign council.

Reacting, Sani urged the NDC chairman to acquaint himself with the provisions of the party’s constitution before making what she described as “unguided assertions.”

She acknowledged the supremacy of political parties within constitutional and statutory limits but maintained that the OK Movement operates independently and has its own internal leadership and decision-making structures.

“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,” Sani said.

She stressed that despite its organisational independence, the movement remained committed to campaigning for Obi and Kwankwaso, as well as other NDC candidates where its members had resolved to support them.

According to Sani, the movement emerged from the grassroots and was not established or funded as a platform for securing political appointments or positions within the NDC.

She claimed that the OK Movement currently has approximately 2.5 million registered members and coordinators nationwide, supported by internal membership data.

Sani described the movement as a long-term political organisation rather than a temporary support group created solely for the 2027 elections.

She said its members were united by demands for improved governance, economic opportunities, accountability and a political system that places citizens at the centre of government.

The national secretary also addressed allegations surrounding Ughulu and his reported involvement in the Lagos State primaries, saying the issue required proper clarification rather than accusations.

She said the movement would continue to defend its members when their integrity was challenged but would avoid personal attacks and defamatory exchanges.

Sani consequently called on the NDC national chairman to withdraw statements the movement considered defamatory and apologise to the OK Movement and Ughulu.

“The OK Movement will not compromise its standards. The OK Movement will not surrender its independence. The OK Movement will not be intimidated,” she said.

She reaffirmed that the movement’s core principles included organisational independence, accountability and long-term political objectives for Nigeria.