NDC disowns OK Movement’s presidential campaign council list

The Nigeria Democratic Congress has dissociated itself from the 59-member Presidential Campaign Council recently announced by the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement, popularly known as the OK Movement, ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The party also warned that no individual, candidate or support group was authorised to constitute or announce any campaign council or structure in its name without approval from its National Working Committee.

The NDC National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas, stated this in a statement released on Saturday night, following the unveiling of the campaign council by the movement’s Director-General, John Ughulu, three days earlier.

He said, “The leadership of our party, the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, has noted with concern a publication credited to John Ughulu announcing a Presidential Campaign Council under the guise of ‘OK Movement.’

“For the avoidance of doubt, the party wishes to state categorically as follows that the party hereby dissociates itself in totality from the said OK Movement PCC announcement. It did not emanate from the party and should be disregarded by the public and the media.

“All candidates of the party must appreciate that they are not running as independent candidates. They are products of the party and remain subject to the authority and discipline of the party. Therefore, only the party’s leadership can constitute and announce a Presidential Campaign Council PCC.”

The NDC chairman further warned members and support groups against creating structures that could undermine the party’s authority.

He said, “No member, candidate, or support group should, under any guise, undermine the party or demarket the party. Henceforth, no individual or group is authorised to announce, constitute, or publish any campaign council, structure, or organ in the name of the party without prior approval from the National Working Committee.”

The development comes three days after the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement announced a 59-member Presidential Campaign Council comprising zonal and state coordinators as well as directors overseeing mobilisation, women affairs, strategy, security, legal affairs and other areas.

The council named Ughulu as its Director-General, while the movement’s National Secretary, Saadatu Sani, was also listed among the campaign leadership. The structure covers the six geopolitical zones, the Federal Capital Territory and the 36 states.

Other positions announced by the movement included directors for grassroots mobilisation, women affairs, contact and engagement, special duties, procurement, information technology, legal affairs, strategy and planning, security and intelligence, and administration.

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However, the NDC said it recognised and appreciated the contributions of support groups while insisting that such groups could not operate as parallel structures of the party.

Cleopas said, “The party recognises and deeply appreciates the contributions of all support groups and encourages their continued support. We welcome even more support groups who identify with our mission to rescue Nigeria.

“While the party will continue to work collaboratively with all support groups, such groups should not see themselves as alternative party structures or parallel organs of the party.”

The chairman also urged members and support groups with grievances against the party to use its internal mechanisms rather than resort to public attacks.

“We expect a stop to unnecessary attacks against the party on whose platform our candidates are running. If there are any differences or grievances, support groups and members are advised to refer such matters to the party through appropriate internal channels for resolution rather than resorting to public attacks,” he said.

The party also announced disciplinary action against Ughulu, citing what it described as his “excesses” during the Lagos State primary election and repeated disregard for the authority of the party.

Cleopas said, “For this act of affront and his excesses during the primary election in Lagos State, and for his repeated disregard for party authority, the party is constrained to enforce disciplinary measures against Mr Ugulu.

“He is hereby referred to the appropriate disciplinary organ of the party for necessary action in line with the provisions of the party’s constitution.”

When contacted for reaction, Ughulu chided Cleopas for being overly insensitive with the publication.

The OK Movement DG told PUNCH Online that the support group was independent of the party and, therefore, its activities could not be dictated by the party.

He said, “The OK Movement, just like other political groups and movements, is not under the control of the party. We work for the candidates, who are our principals.”