2027: OK Movement Rejects NDC Merger, Vows to Keep Its Structure

The Obi-Kwankwaso Movement, popularly known as the OK Movement, has rejected any plan to merge its structures with the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, ahead of the 2027 general election.

The Director-General of the movement, John Ughulu, made the position known on Wednesday while responding to comments by NDC National Leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, who had questioned the role of the group in the party’s campaign activities.

Ughulu said the movement would maintain its independent identity and would not allow its national, state, local government or ward structures to be taken over, merged with or placed under the control of the NDC or any other organisation.

Dickson had earlier said support groups were expected to assist political parties rather than operate as parallel organisations or compete with the parties sponsoring their candidates.

The former Bayelsa State governor made the remarks on Tuesday in Abuja during the reception organised for former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, who recently joined the NDC.

Dickson also criticised the decision of the OK Movement to establish a 59-member Presidential Campaign Council for the NDC’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso. He argued that a support organisation should not assume responsibilities belonging to the political party.

However, Ughulu said the OK Movement should not be treated in the same way as conventional support groups. He described it as an independent political organisation with its own leadership, structures and internal processes.

He explained that the movement consists of people from different political parties who share support for Obi and Kwankwaso and are working together around their political aspirations.

Ughulu said the movement’s decision to establish its own campaign and mobilisation structures was therefore part of its independent activities and should not be interpreted as an attempt to take over the responsibilities of the NDC.

He maintained that political cooperation between the movement and the NDC does not mean that the OK Movement has become part of the party or surrendered control of its organisational structures.

The director-general said the movement would continue to mobilise support for Obi and Kwankwaso while retaining control of its internal administration.

He added that the OK Movement recognises the authority of the NDC over the party’s internal affairs but expects the party to equally respect the movement’s independent status.

Ughulu further said the movement would oppose any attempt to dissolve, transfer or take over its structures without approval from its recognised leadership.

He said any disagreement over the movement’s identity or structures should be handled through lawful and democratic processes rather than through unilateral decisions.

The disagreement between both sides followed the OK Movement’s announcement of a 59-member Presidential Campaign Council to mobilise support for Obi and Kwankwaso ahead of the 2027 election.

The NDC subsequently distanced itself from the council, with National Chairman Senator Moses Cleopas stating that the party had not authorised the movement to create or announce a campaign structure in its name.

The party also maintained that individuals, candidates and support groups could not establish campaign structures on behalf of the NDC without approval from its National Working Committee.

The position led to further disagreement between the party and the movement. The OK Movement’s National Secretary, Saadatu Sani, later demanded an apology from Cleopas and maintained that the organisation had its own leadership and internal structure.

Ughulu has now reiterated that the movement will continue to operate independently while supporting Obi and Kwankwaso in the 2027 election. He also made it clear that the OK Movement would not surrender its established structures to the NDC or any external organisation.