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The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has distanced itself from the newly unveiled 59-member Presidential Campaign Council released by the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement, popularly called the OK Movement, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The political party issued a firm warning that no candidate, individual, or support organization possesses the authority to set up or publicize any campaign structure using the party’s name without clearance from its National Working Committee.
This clarification was contained in a late Saturday statement by the NDC National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas, following the public rollout of the campaign team three days earlier by the movement’s Director-General, John Ughulu.
Cleopas stated, “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 leader cautioned party faithful and voluntary bodies against forming parallel structures that chip away at the party’s supremacy.
He added, “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 opposition party’s reaction follows the OK Movement’s release of a 59-man presidential campaign setup comprising national, zonal, and state leadership to manage key directorates including strategy, security, women affairs, legal, and grassroots mobilization across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. Under that arrangement, Ughulu was designated Director-General, with Saadatu Sani serving as National Secretary.
While appreciating the efforts of voluntary groups aligning with its mission, the NDC maintained that such movements must refrain from acting as rival party authorities.
Cleopas noted, “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.”
He further advised aggrieved stakeholders to utilize internal conflict-resolution mechanisms rather than taking their grievances to the public domain.
“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 emphasized.
Furthermore, the NDC announced that disciplinary action has been initiated against Ughulu over alleged misconduct during the Lagos State primary elections and continued disregard for party hierarchy.
Cleopas declared, “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.”
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