OK Movement Defies NDC, Vows to Keep Independent Political Structure

BY TAIBAT UMMI YAKUBU

A new disagreement has surfaced within the political coalition supporting the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) ahead of the 2027 general elections, with the Obidient/Kwankwasiyya (OK) Movement rejecting attempts to question the legitimacy of its campaign structure.

The development follows recent comments by NDC National Leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, who stressed that political support groups backing the party’s presidential ticket cannot function as parallel party structures or assume responsibilities reserved for the party and its officially recognised campaign organisations.

The OK Movement, a grassroots platform built around supporters of NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi and his running mate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has become one of the most visible mobilising groups within the broader political coalition backing the party.

However, tensions rose after the movement unveiled a 59-member Presidential Campaign Council, a move that generated debate within sections of the NDC leadership.

Responding to the controversy, Dickson maintained that while support groups remain valuable for grassroots engagement and voter mobilisation, they must operate within clearly defined boundaries.

According to him, the responsibility for directing party affairs and managing official campaign structures rests with the NDC and its recognised organs.

But in a strongly worded statement issued by its National Director General, Hon. John Ozyl Ughulu, the OK Movement defended its decision and insisted that its organisational structure does not require approval from the NDC leadership or any individual within the party.

The group described itself as an independent political organisation with its own leadership framework, objectives and operational system, arguing that its existence and structure predate the formation of the recently announced Presidential Campaign Council.

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The movement said while the NDC has every right to establish its own campaign machinery, it cannot dictate the internal arrangements of an organisation that operates independently of the party.

It further rejected suggestions that the establishment of its campaign council was an attempt to rival or overshadow the NDC.

According to the group, both organisations serve different purposes and maintain separate administrative structures, despite sharing similar political goals.

The OK Movement also emphasized that its grassroots network was not built through financial sponsorship from either the NDC leadership or its presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

It argued that its mobilisation efforts are designed to support candidates running on the party’s platform across various levels and should not be viewed as being controlled by any single individual.

The group warned against what it described as attempts to interfere with, dismantle or take over its leadership and operational framework, saying such moves would be firmly resisted.

Despite the disagreement, the movement said it remains committed to cooperation and collaboration with the NDC, provided its organisational identity and autonomy are respected.

According to the statement, the issue is not about political confrontation but about maintaining institutional boundaries and mutual respect among groups working toward common political objectives.

The movement concluded by reaffirming that its Presidential Campaign Council remains in place as originally announced and that its mission, principles and organisational structure remain unchanged as preparations for the 2027 elections gather momentum.