OK Movement Fires Back at NDC Over Presidential Campaign Council

The Obi–Kwankwaso (OK) Movement has rejected the position of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) that only the party’s leadership can constitute and announce a Presidential Campaign Council (PCC).

The movement also insisted that it has its own leadership, organisational structure and internal processes, while demanding an apology from the NDC National Chairman, Senator Cleopas Moses.

The development followed a statement by Moses distancing the NDC from a purported PCC announcement made under the name of the OK Movement.

Moses had said the announcement did not emanate from the party and warned members, candidates and support groups against constituting campaign structures without prior approval from the National Working Committee.

But the Movement rejected the position, describing it as a misunderstanding of its character, structure and independence.

In a statement signed on Sunday by its National Secretary, Saadatu Sani, the movement said it recognised the constitutional role of political parties while maintaining its independence as a political movement.

“The OK Movement recognises the supremacy of political parties within their constitutional and statutory sphere. We also recognise the importance of working with the NDC Party and supporting its candidates,” it said.

The group said it would campaign for the NDC presidential and vice-presidential candidates, as well as other candidates of the party across the country where it had resolved to support them.

However, it insisted that such support did not subject the movement to the personal approval of any individual within the party.

The movement said it had developed its own leadership, organisational structure, ideology and internal processes from the grassroots.

“We do not require the personal validation or approval of any individual before exercising our legitimate organisational functions,” the statement said.

It also rejected any suggestion that it was seeking political appointments or positions within the NDC as a condition for its support.

The group claimed that its nationwide grassroots structure had a database representing about 2.5 million registered members and coordinators with supporting data.

According to the movement, its structure was not created merely for the current election cycle but reflected a longer-term political organisation.

The group also responded to Moses’ reference to Sani’s alleged involvement in the NDC’s Lagos State primary, saying she welcomed the opportunity to put the matter on record.

It accused the NDC chairman of making statements it considered defamatory and called on him to withdraw them.

The movement also demanded an apology to the organisation and its National Director-General, John Ozyl Ughulu.

It said it would not engage in personal attacks or what it described as politics of intimidation.

“We will continue to educate rather than abuse. We will continue to present facts rather than manufacture narratives,” it said.

The Obidient and Kwankwasiyya Movement maintained that its support for NDC candidates would continue, while insisting that its organisational independence remained intact.

It said its principles could not be compromised for political convenience and that it would defend members whose integrity came under question.

“The OK Movement will not compromise its standards. It will not surrender its independence. It will not be intimidated,” the group said.

The movement called for restraint and adherence to established rules as the dispute over the purported Presidential Campaign Council continues.