NDC Disowns Purported OK Movement Campaign Council

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has disowned a purported Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) announced under the name “OK Movement”, saying the initiative did not emanate from the party.

The party also warned its candidates, members and support groups against constituting or announcing campaign structures without prior approval from its National Working Committee (NWC).

In a statement signed on Saturday by its National Chairman, Senator Cleopas Moses, the NDC said it had taken note of a publication by one John Ugulu announcing the campaign council.

It described the publication as unauthorised and urged the public and media to disregard it.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the party wishes to state categorically that it dissociates itself in totality from the said OK Movement PCC announcement,” the statement said.

The party said all its candidates remained products of the NDC and could not operate as independent candidates outside the authority and discipline of the party.

It maintained that only the party leadership had the authority to constitute and announce a presidential campaign council.

The NDC consequently warned that no individual, candidate or support group should undermine the party or engage in activities capable of demarketing it.

“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,” it said.

The party, however, acknowledged the contributions of its various support groups and encouraged them to continue supporting its political mission.

It said it welcomed additional groups that identified with its objective of rescuing Nigeria, but stressed that such groups must not regard themselves as alternative party structures or parallel organs.

The NDC also urged members and support groups to channel grievances through the party’s internal mechanisms rather than resorting to public attacks.

The party said it expected an end to what it described as unnecessary attacks against the platform on which its candidates were contesting elections.

On Ugulu, the NDC said his alleged conduct during the party’s primary election in Lagos State, coupled with what it described as repeated disregard for party authority, had necessitated disciplinary action.

It said Ugulu had been referred to the appropriate disciplinary organ of the party for necessary action in accordance with its constitution.

The party said it remained focused on an issue-based campaign and its objective of delivering what it described as “a New Nigeria that is possible.”