The Nigeria Democratic Congress has distanced itself from a 59-member Presidential Campaign Council announced by the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement, popularly known as the OK Movement, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The party said the campaign council was neither approved nor constituted by its leadership, warning that individuals and support groups were not authorised to create or announce structures in its name without the approval of the National Working Committee.
The NDC National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas, made the position known in a statement issued on Saturday night, three days after the OK Movement unveiled its campaign council.
Cleopas said the party was concerned about the announcement and urged the public to disregard it.
He 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 chairman stressed that candidates contesting under the NDC platform remained subject to the authority of the party.
He added, “All candidates of the party must appreciate that they are not running as independent candidates. They are products of the party and remain subject to the authority and discipline of the party.”
Cleopas further warned that no member, candidate or support organisation should establish a campaign structure in the party’s name without prior approval.
He said, “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.”
The OK Movement had earlier announced a 59-member council comprising coordinators and directors responsible for mobilisation, women affairs, strategy, security, legal affairs, information technology and other areas.
The structure reportedly covers the six geopolitical zones, the Federal Capital Territory and the 36 states.
The movement appointed its Director-General, John Ughulu, to head the campaign council, while its National Secretary, Saadatu Sani, was also named among the leadership.
However, the NDC said it recognised the role of support groups but maintained that they could not operate as alternative structures of the party.
“The party recognises and deeply appreciates the contributions of all support groups and encourages their continued support,” Cleopas said.
“While the party will continue to work collaboratively with all support groups, such groups should not see themselves as alternative party structures or parallel organs of the party.”
The chairman also advised members and support groups with complaints against the party to use internal channels rather than publicly attacking the organisation.
Meanwhile, the NDC announced that Ughulu had been referred to its disciplinary organ over what the party described as his conduct during the Lagos State primary election and his alleged disregard for party authority.
Cleopas said the disciplinary action followed “his repeated disregard for party authority,” adding that the matter would be handled in accordance with the party’s constitution.
Reacting, Ughulu rejected the chairman’s position, describing the statement as insensitive.
The OK Movement DG maintained that the group was independent of the NDC and could not be controlled by the party.
Ughulu said, “The OK Movement, just like other political groups and movements, is not under the control of the party. We work for the candidates, who are our principals.”
