OK Movement Firm on Autonomy, Rejects NDC Structure Absorption for 2027

The Obi-Kwankwaso Movement, widely recognized as the OK Movement, declared on Wednesday that it would not integrate its organizational framework into the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in preparation for the upcoming 2027 general elections.

John Ughulu, the Director-General of the OK Movement, affirmed that neither the NDC nor any other entity would be permitted to subsume the movement's established structures across national, state, local government, and ward levels.

Ughulu's statement came as a direct response to remarks made by Senator Seriake Dickson, the National Leader of the NDC, regarding the appropriate function of various support groups within the party's 2027 election strategy. Senator Dickson had previously contended that political organizations should serve to enhance the efforts of the main political party, rather than creating rivalry or operating independently as parallel entities.

These comments were delivered by the former Bayelsa governor during the public presentation of Babachir Lawal, erstwhile Secretary General to the Government of the Federation, which took place in Abuja on Tuesday. Dickson elaborated that while the existence of numerous support groups is a common feature of political campaigns, their primary role should be to complement the sponsoring political party and its candidates, not to compete with them.

Furthermore, Dickson characterized the OK Movement's initiative to form its own presidential campaign council as both “unheard of” and “nonsensical.” He reiterated that while the NDC intends to collaborate with various support groups, it expects them to adhere to their designated functions.

Countering this, Ughulu asserted that the OK Movement stands apart from typical support groups, emphasizing its status as an autonomous political organization. He stated, “I strongly agree with the position expressed by Senator Seriake Dickson. However, there appears to be a missing link in the argument currently being advanced."

Ughulu continued by questioning, “If the Obidient Movement is regarded as a support movement, and if the Obidients and Kwankwasiyya have equally been described by Idris Zekeri, while claiming to speak on behalf of Peter Obi, as a support movement, then it becomes necessary to properly define the identity and status of the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement, popularly known as the OK Movement.” He clarified, “For the avoidance of doubt, the OK Movement is not a support group created as an appendage of any political party or another movement. It is independently organised, managed and structured through its own established movement mechanisms.”

Furthermore, Ughulu dismissed Dickson’s characterization of the movement's formation of a campaign council as "nonsensical." He explained that the movement draws its membership from individuals affiliated with various political parties, all united by their backing for the NDC presidential candidates, Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso.

Ughulu stated, “So it is not nonsensical as claimed by Seriake Dickson; rather, the national leader of the NDC Party should come to realise that politics has long evolved from the conventional political system he is used to.” He added, “The OK Movement comprises individuals and members from different political parties who share a common commitment to the ideals, values and political aspirations represented by the presidential candidate, Peter Obi and his running mate, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso.”

Ughulu stressed that the movement intends to continue its efforts to garner support for the candidates while steadfastly maintaining its organizational independence. The Director-General further pledged that the movement would uphold its autonomy and internal governance, emphasizing that its collaboration with the NDC on political matters does not imply organizational subservience.

He reiterated, “The OK Movement remains an independent organisation. Its existence and internal administration are not subject to the internal management of the NDC.” Ughulu firmly declared, “The OK Movement will not be collapsed, merged or subsumed into the NDC or any other organisation. Cooperation and political alignment do not extinguish the independent identity of the Movement.” He added, “Our organisational structure remains the property and responsibility of the OK Movement. We will not surrender our established national, state, local government and ward structures to any political party or external support group for management.”

Ughulu contended that the movement possesses the inherent right to establish its own campaign and mobilization mechanisms to back the NDC’s candidates, noting his unawareness of any specific clause in the party’s constitution that explicitly forbids such an arrangement. He underscored that the OK Movement has no intention of undermining the authority of the NDC. Ughulu also issued a caution against any endeavors to commandeer the movement's established structures.

He clarified, “Let us also make one important distinction absolutely clear. The OK Movement does not claim supremacy over the NDC Party, nor does it seek to usurp the constitutional powers of the party." Ughulu concluded, “We respect the NDC and recognise the constitutional authority of the party over its own internal affairs. Equally, the NDC and every other organisation must recognise the independent identity, structure and legitimate interests of the OK Movement.” He ended by asserting, “However, we will resist, through lawful and democratic means, any [truncated]."