Mujeeb Akindoyin
The Nigeria Democratic Congress has disowned a 59-member Presidential Campaign Council announced by the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement, popularly known as the OK Movement, for the 2027 general election, declaring that the structure was not authorised by the party.
The development has opened a fresh dispute over the control of the campaign machinery of the party’s presidential ticket involving Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso.
The NDC, in a statement issued on Saturday and signed by its National Chairman, Senator Cleopas Moses, directed the public and the media to disregard the campaign council announced under the name of the OK Movement.
The party said only its leadership had the authority to constitute and unveil a Presidential Campaign Council for candidates contesting on its platform.
The controversy followed the announcement of a 59-member structure by the OK Movement on Thursday.
The movement had named John Ughulu as Director-General and Saadatu Sani as National Secretary, alongside zonal and state coordinators and directors responsible for areas including mobilisation, women affairs, strategy, security and legal affairs.
However, the NDC said the announcement did not emanate from the party.
In the statement titled “Re: Purported OK Movement PCC Announcement,” Moses said, “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.”
The party further stressed that its candidates were not independent candidates and remained subject to its authority and discipline.
It warned members, candidates and support groups against establishing structures in the name of the party without the approval of the National Working Committee.
“Henceforth, no individual or group is authorized 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 statement said.
The NDC also announced disciplinary action against Ughulu, citing what it described as an affront to the party and repeated disregard for its authority.
Moses said Ughulu had been referred to the appropriate disciplinary organ for action in accordance with the party’s constitution.
The party also cited alleged “excesses” during the Lagos State primary election as part of the reasons for its action against the OK Movement leader.
The NDC, however, acknowledged the contribution of support groups to its political activities, urging them to continue supporting the party without presenting themselves as alternative or parallel structures.
It advised members and support groups with grievances to use the party’s internal mechanisms for resolving disputes rather than making public attacks.
The party said it remained committed to an issue-based campaign and its stated objective of delivering what it described as a “New Nigeria that is Possible.”
The latest development comes as the NDC prepares for the 2027 elections, with the party yet to formally unveil its own Presidential Campaign Council.
The dispute also places renewed attention on the relationship between the party leadership and support groups backing the Obi-Kwankwaso ticket, particularly over who has authority to coordinate campaign activities under the NDC platform.
PLATFORM TIMES gathered that Ughulu had previously featured in the party’s electoral structures, having been listed as a member of the NDC electoral committee for Lagos State during the party’s 2026 primary preparations.
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