The Obi-Kwankwaso (OK) Movement has rejected the Nigeria Democratic Congress’ (NDC) position that it required the party’s approval to constitute a 59-member presidential campaign council for the 2027 election.

The movement, which supports the NDC presidential ticket of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso, said it remained an independent organisation with its own leadership, structure and internal processes.

Its National Secretary, Saadatu Sani, made the position known in a statement on Sunday, following the NDC’s rejection of the campaign council unveiled by the group on Thursday.

The OK Movement had appointed its Director-General, John Ughulu, as Director-General of the campaign council, while Sani was named its secretary.

The 59-member structure also includes zonal and state coordinators and directors responsible for mobilisation, women’s affairs, strategy, security and legal affairs.

However, NDC National Chairman, Cleopas Moses, had dissociated the party from the council and urged the public to disregard it.

He maintained that only the party leadership could constitute and announce a presidential campaign council, while warning support groups against creating structures in the party’s name without approval from the National Working Committee.

Responding, Sani urged the NDC chairman to familiarise himself with the party’s constitution, arguing that the movement’s independence meant it did not require the personal validation or approval of any individual within the party to carry out its organisational activities.

“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.

Sani said the movement recognised the authority of political parties within their constitutional and statutory spheres but maintained that the OK Movement was not an organ of the NDC.

She added that it would continue to mobilise support for Obi and Kwankwaso, as well as other NDC candidates where the movement had resolved to support them.

She also said the movement was not seeking political appointments or positions within the NDC as a condition for its support, insisting that its activities were guided by its own principles and organisational objectives.

On the controversy involving Ughulu and allegations relating to the Lagos State primary, Sani said the matter required clarification and that the movement would defend its members where their integrity was questioned.

She, however, said it would not engage in personal insults or defamatory exchanges.

The OK Movement consequently demanded that Moses withdraw statements it considered defamatory and apologise to the group and Ughulu, while reaffirming that it would maintain its independence as it continues its mobilisation ahead of the 2027 election.

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