OK Movement Demands Apology From NDC, Rejects Intimidation

The Obi-Kwankwaso Movement, popularly known as the OK Movement, has demanded an apology from the Nigeria Democratic Congress over statements concerning its recently unveiled 59-member Presidential Campaign Council.

The movement also rejected what it described as intimidation, insisting that it remained an independent political organisation with its own leadership, structure and internal processes.

The National Secretary of the movement, Saadatu Sani, made the position known in a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday.

The development followed the NDC’s decision to dissociate itself from the campaign council unveiled by the movement to mobilise support for the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso.

NDC National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas, had said the campaign council did not emanate from the party and should therefore be disregarded by the public and media.

Cleopas also warned that no individual, candidate or support group was authorised to constitute or announce a campaign structure in the party’s name without approval from the National Working Committee.

Responding, Sani described the NDC chairman’s position as unfortunate and said it reflected what she called a misunderstanding of the movement’s character and independence.

She urged the party chairman to familiarise himself with the NDC constitution before making assertions concerning the rights and responsibilities of the movement.

Sani demanded that Cleopas withdraw statements she considered defamatory and apologise to the OK Movement and its Director-General, John Ughulu.

The movement said it recognised the authority of political parties within their constitutional and statutory responsibilities.

However, it maintained that its decision to support Obi and Kwankwaso did not make it a subordinate structure of the NDC.

Sani said the movement would campaign for the presidential and vice-presidential candidates and support NDC candidates across the country where its members had resolved to do so.

She added that the movement did not require approval from an individual before carrying out its organisational activities.

According to Sani, the OK Movement has developed a nationwide grassroots structure and maintains an internal database representing approximately 2.5 million registered members and coordinators.

She said the organisation was not merely a temporary support group established for the 2027 elections but had a longer-term political vision.

The movement also rejected allegations concerning Ughulu’s involvement in the Lagos State primary.

Sani said the group would not engage in personal insults or defamatory exchanges but would continue defending its members when their integrity was questioned.

The NDC’s earlier statement and the movement’s response highlight differences over the relationship between the party and independent support organisations backing its candidates.