The Obi-Kwankwaso Movement has declared that it operates independently and does not receive financial support from the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, or the party.
The movement’s Director General, John Ughulu, stated this in Abuja on Friday while defending the group’s autonomy amid its disagreement with some leaders of the NDC.
Ughulu said the movement had developed its own organisational structure based on its principles and values and was not financially dependent on Obi or the party.
“The mechanism through which the OK Movement operates is founded upon its established principles and values,” he said.
“Consequently, the movement does not and has not required any financial support from His Excellency, Peter Obi, the NDC presidential candidate, or the NDC to establish or operate its own organisational structure.”
The development followed a disagreement between the NDC and the movement over a 59-member Presidential Campaign Council recently announced by the OK Movement for the Obi-Kwankwaso ticket.
The NDC had rejected the council, insisting that only its National Working Committee had the authority to constitute a presidential campaign council.
Ughulu, however, maintained that the OK Movement was an independent political organisation and had the right to establish and manage its internal structures.
His position came shortly after the NDC announced the commencement of registration for support groups ahead of the 2027 elections.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, said the registration was free and would be handled exclusively by the Directorate of Support Groups at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja.
Director said the decision followed reports that some state party chairmen were demanding money from support groups seeking registration.
He warned that no state chapter or party official was authorised to conduct the registration or collect fees, adding that anyone found violating the directive would face disciplinary measures.
Ughulu said the OK Movement had never claimed to be superior to the NDC, noting that both organisations had distinct structures and responsibilities.
He argued that neither the Nigerian Constitution nor the NDC’s constitution, as made available to the movement, gave the party automatic control over the internal affairs of an independent political organisation.
“There is no provision of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, nor any provision of the NDC Party Constitution brought to our attention, that automatically vests exclusive authority in a political party or its candidate to determine the internal organisational structure of an independent political organisation,” he said.
He added, “The NDC Party is entitled to constitute its own campaign structures, just as the OK Movement is entitled to organise and manage its own affairs within the limits of applicable law.”
Ughulu also rejected suggestions that the movement’s position was aimed at provoking a confrontation with the party.
“Our position is not about confrontation. It is about clarity, institutional respect and the protection of organisational independence,” he said.
He, however, warned that the movement would resist any attempt to undermine or dissolve its organisational structure.
“However, the movement cannot be compelled to abandon its principles or organisational identity to satisfy the ambitions or preferences of any individual or group,” Ughulu stated.
He maintained that the movement was willing to work with the NDC where there was mutual respect for its independence.
“The NDC has the right to constitute and manage its own campaign structures. Likewise, an independent political organisation has the right to constitute and manage its own organisational structures, subject always to the law,” he added.
