The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has dissociated itself from a purported Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) announced under the name of the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement, popularly known as the OK Movement, declaring that the structure was not authorised by the party.
The party also referred John Ugulu, who was credited with the announcement, to its appropriate disciplinary organ over what it described as his alleged disregard for party authority.
The NDC made its position known in a statement issued on Saturday, September 19, by the Office of the National Chairman and electronically signed by the National Chairman, Senator Cleopas Moses. The party said the public and media should disregard the purported campaign council announcement. (Vanguard News)
According to the statement, the party had taken note of a publication credited to Ugulu announcing a Presidential Campaign Council under the guise of the OK Movement.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the party wishes to state categorically as follows: 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 statement said.
The development follows the unveiling by the OK Movement of a 59-member campaign structure comprising coordinators for the six geopolitical zones, the Federal Capital Territory and the 36 states, as well as directors for various areas of campaign activity ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The NDC leadership stressed that the authority to constitute and announce an official Presidential Campaign Council rests with the party leadership.
It also reminded all candidates contesting elections on its platform that they were not independent candidates and remained subject to the authority and discipline of the party.
“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. Therefore, only the party’s leadership can constitute and announce a Presidential Campaign Council PCC,” the statement said.
The party subsequently issued a broader directive to members, candidates and support organisations, warning that no individual or group would be permitted to announce, constitute or publish a campaign council, structure or organ in the name of the NDC without prior approval from the National Working Committee (NWC).
The directive effectively draws a distinction between formal party structures and support groups established to mobilise public support for the party and its candidates.
The NDC said it recognised the contributions of support groups and welcomed organisations that identified with its political objectives.
“The party recognizes and deeply appreciates the contributions of all support groups and encourages their continued support. We welcome even more support groups who identify with our mission to rescue Nigeria,” the statement added.
However, the party said such groups must operate within clearly defined limits and should not present themselves as alternative structures or parallel organs of the NDC.
“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,” it said.
The leadership also appealed for an end to public disagreements involving individuals and groups supporting candidates running on the NDC platform.
The party said members and support organisations with grievances should make use of its internal mechanisms for resolving disputes instead of publicly attacking the party.
“We expect a stop to unnecessary attacks against the party on whose platform our candidates are running,” the statement said.
“If there are any differences or grievances, support groups and members are advised to refer such matters to the party through appropriate internal channels for resolution rather than resorting to public attacks.”
The party’s statement also announced disciplinary action against Ugulu.
The NDC said its decision was connected to what it described as his “affront and excesses” during the party’s primary election in Lagos State, as well as what it characterised as repeated disregard for the authority of the party.
“For this act of affront and his excesses during the primary election in Lagos State, and for his repeated disregard for party authority, the party is constrained to enforce disciplinary measures against Mr. Ugulu,” the statement said.
It added that Ugulu had been referred to the appropriate disciplinary organ for necessary action in accordance with the provisions of the party’s constitution.
The referral does not itself amount to a final disciplinary finding, as the matter is to be considered through the party’s established disciplinary process. Contemporary reports also described the action as a referral to the relevant party organ rather than a completed disciplinary sanction. (Independent Newspaper Nigeria)
The dispute highlights the organisational issues that can arise between political parties and support groups operating around candidates during preparations for elections. While support groups can undertake mobilisation and advocacy activities, the NDC leadership has now stated that formal structures carrying the party’s name must receive approval from the NWC.
The OK Movement has presented itself as a platform mobilising support for the NDC presidential ticket of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso ahead of the 2027 elections. Its recently announced campaign structure was intended to coordinate activities across the country, according to reports on its unveiling.
The NDC, however, made clear that support for its candidates does not confer authority to establish official party organs.
The party’s position is that campaign structures formally operating in its name must be constituted through its recognised leadership and approved organisational procedures.
The development comes as political parties and associated support organisations continue preparations for the 2027 general elections. The NDC said it remained committed to an issue-based campaign and its stated political agenda.
“The party remains focused on its issue-based campaign and is committed to delivering a New Nigeria that is Possible,” the statement concluded.
This version keeps the NDC’s allegations against Ugulu clearly attributed and distinguishes the disciplinary referral from any final finding.
