OK Movement Rejects NDC Control, Insists on Independent Structure

By Nafiu Muhammad Lema

The Obi–Kwankwaso Movement, popularly known as the OK Movement, has rejected any attempt by the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) to take control of its organisational structures ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The movement’s Director-General, John Ughulu, said the OK Movement remained an independent political organisation with its own national, state, local government and ward structures.

Ughulu made the position known while reacting to comments by NDC National Leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, who had said support groups should complement political parties rather than operate as parallel structures.

Dickson, a former Bayelsa State governor, had also described the OK Movement’s decision to establish a presidential campaign council as “unheard of” and “nonsensical”.

However, Ughulu disagreed with the characterisation, saying the movement was not an appendage of the NDC or any other political organisation.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the OK Movement is not a support group created as an appendage of any political party or another movement. It is independently organised, managed and structured through its own established movement mechanisms,” he said.

He explained that the movement comprises members of different political parties who support the NDC presidential ticket of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso.

“So it is not nonsensical as claimed by Seriake Dickson; rather, the national leader of the NDC Party should come to realise that politics has long evolved from the conventional political system he is used to,” Ughulu said.

He maintained that the movement’s political alignment with the NDC did not mean its internal affairs should come under the control of the party.

“The OK Movement remains an independent organisation. Its existence and internal administration are not subject to the internal management of the NDC.

“The OK Movement will not be collapsed, merged or subsumed into the NDC or any other organisation. Cooperation and political alignment do not extinguish the independent identity of the Movement,” he added.

Ughulu further said the movement would not surrender its established structures to any political party or external organisation.

“Our organisational structure remains the property and responsibility of the OK Movement. We will not surrender our established national, state, local government and ward structures to any political party or external support group for management,” he said.

He also argued that the movement was within its rights to establish its own campaign and mobilisation structures in support of Obi and Kwankwaso, adding that he was not aware of any provision in the NDC constitution expressly prohibiting such an arrangement.

Ughulu, however, clarified that the OK Movement was not seeking to challenge the authority of the NDC.

“The OK Movement does not claim supremacy over the NDC Party, nor does it seek to usurp the constitutional powers of the party.

“We respect the NDC and recognise the constitutional authority of the party over its own internal affairs. Equally, the NDC and every other organisation must recognise the independent identity, structure and legitimate interests of the OK Movement,” he said.

He warned that the movement would resist any attempt to take over or dissolve its structures without due authorisation.

“We will resist, through lawful and democratic means, any attempt by any individual or group to disenfranchise members of the movement, appropriate its structures, or unilaterally redefine its identity,” Ughulu said.

The dispute followed the constitution of a 59-member Presidential Campaign Council by the OK Movement on September 17 to mobilise support for Obi and Kwankwaso ahead of the 2027 election.

Ughulu was named Director-General of the council, while Saadatu Sani was appointed secretary.

The NDC subsequently distanced itself from the council, with National Chairman Senator Moses Cleopas saying the structure was not authorised by the party.

The party also warned that no individual, candidate or support group could establish a campaign structure in the NDC’s name without approval from its National Working Committee.