Tensions have emerged between the Nigeria Democratic Congress and the Obidient Kwankwaso Movement, popularly known as the OK Movement, following a disagreement over the formation of a presidential campaign council ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The dispute began after the OK Movement announced a 59 member presidential campaign council to coordinate support for the party’s presidential and vice presidential candidates. John Ughulu was named Director General, while Saadatu Sani was appointed National Secretary.
The NDC subsequently distanced itself from the campaign council, stating that the structure was not authorised by the party. The party leadership maintained that only its appropriate organs had the authority to establish and announce a presidential campaign council and urged members of the public to disregard the announcement...READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE .
Reacting to the development, Sani said the OK Movement did not require the personal approval or validation of any individual within the NDC before carrying out what it described as its legitimate organisational activities.
She maintained that the movement recognised the constitutional and statutory authority of political parties but remained an independent organisation with its own leadership, membership structure and internal processes.
According to Sani, the movement would continue to support the NDC’s presidential and vice presidential candidates as well as other candidates the organisation decides to back across the country.
She also rejected the suggestion that the movement was seeking political appointments or positions within the NDC in exchange for its support. She said its activities were guided by its stated principles and organisational objectives rather than by the expectation of government or party appointments.
The OK Movement further claimed that it had established a nationwide grassroots structure, with its internal records indicating approximately 2.5 million registered members and coordinators. The figure is a claim by the movement and has not been independently verified.
Sani also called on the NDC national chairman to withdraw statements the movement considered defamatory and apologise to the organisation and its Director General, John Ughulu.
The disagreement has added another layer to the political preparations surrounding the 2027 presidential election, with questions now emerging over how independent support organisations will coordinate with political parties and their official campaign structures.
While the OK Movement says it will maintain its independence while supporting the NDC ticket, the party has emphasised that candidates contesting under its platform remain subject to its authority and discipline.
The dispute remains centred on the distinction between an independent support organisation and an officially constituted party campaign structure, with both sides presenting different positions on how their respective roles should operate ahead of the election.
