OK Movement Demands Apology From NDC, Rejects Intimidation

The Obi-Kwankwaso Movement, known as the OK Movement, has demanded an apology from the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, over comments made by the party’s National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas, about its recently announced 59-member Presidential Campaign Council.

The group also rejected any attempt to intimidate it, insisting that it remains an independent political organisation with its own leadership, structure and internal processes.

The National Secretary of the movement, Saadatu Sani, made the position known in a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday.

The development followed the NDC’s decision to distance itself from the campaign council unveiled by the OK Movement on Thursday to mobilise support for the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso.

The NDC had stated that the campaign council was not established by the party and should therefore not be regarded as an official party structure.

Cleopas also maintained that no individual, presidential candidate or support group could create or announce a campaign structure in the name of the NDC without approval from the party’s National Working Committee.

Reacting to the development, Sani described the NDC chairman’s position as unfortunate and said it showed a lack of understanding of the nature and independent status of the OK Movement.

She called on Cleopas to properly examine the provisions of the NDC constitution before making statements about the rights and responsibilities of the movement.

The OK Movement also asked the NDC chairman to withdraw what it regarded as defamatory comments and apologise to the organisation and its Director General, John Ughulu.

The group said it recognised the authority of political parties within the limits set by the law and the constitution. It added that it would support Obi and Kwankwaso, as well as other NDC candidates across the country in areas where the movement decides to back them.

However, the movement maintained that supporting NDC candidates did not place it under the control of the party or make it an official subordinate structure.

Sani said the group would continue to carry out its organisational activities without seeking personal approval from individual party officials.

She further disclosed that the movement had built a grassroots network across the country, with an internal database containing about 2.5 million registered members and coordinators.

According to the group, the OK Movement was not formed only for the 2027 general elections but has a broader political plan that extends beyond the upcoming polls.

The movement also rejected allegations involving Ughulu’s participation in the NDC’s Lagos State primary election. It said it was prepared to state its position on the matter and defend its members whenever their integrity was questioned.

The OK Movement maintained that it would avoid personal attacks and hostile exchanges while continuing to protect the principles on which the organisation was established.

The dispute between the movement and the NDC comes amid preparations for the 2027 general elections and disagreements over the role of support groups campaigning for candidates under the party’s platform.