2027: NDC Disowns OK Movement’s 59-Member Presidential Campaign Council

The Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, has dissociated itself from a 59-member Presidential Campaign Council, PCC, announced by the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement, popularly known as the OK Movement, ahead of the 2027 general election.

NDC National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas, said the campaign council did not originate from the party and was not authorised by its leadership.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Cleopas urged the public and media to disregard the announcement made by John Ughulu, Director-General of the OK Movement.

He stressed that only the leadership of the NDC had the authority to constitute and announce a presidential campaign council for the party.

According to him, no individual, candidate or support group could create or publish a campaign structure in the name of the party without prior approval from the National Working Committee, NWC.

The NDC chairman reminded all candidates contesting under the party’s platform that they were subject to its authority and disciplinary structures.

He, however, acknowledged the contributions of support groups and said the party remained willing to work with organisations that supported its political objectives.

Cleopas cautioned such groups against presenting themselves as parallel or alternative structures of the NDC, urging members and supporters with grievances to use the party’s internal mechanisms rather than engage in public attacks.

The party also announced that Ughulu had been referred to its appropriate disciplinary organ over what it described as his “excesses” during the Lagos State primary and repeated disregard for the party’s authority.

The development followed the unveiling of the 59-member campaign council by the OK Movement, with Ughulu named as Director-General and National Secretary Saadatu Sani listed among its leadership.

The council comprises zonal and state coordinators as well as directors responsible for areas including mobilisation, women affairs, strategy, security and legal affairs.

The dispute has exposed differences over the relationship between the NDC and the OK Movement, which was established to support the presidential ticket of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso.

The controversy comes as the NDC and its support groups intensify preparations for the 2027 election, with questions over campaign structures and the coordination of activities expected to remain significant as the election approaches.