ABUJA — The OK Movement, a political platform supporting the joint presidential ticket of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate, Peter Obi, and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, has demanded an apology from the party’s National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas, over his comments regarding the movement’s 59-member Presidential Campaign Council (PCC).
The movement said it would not be intimidated, insisting that principles, integrity and established rules must guide its relationship with the NDC.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday by its National Secretary, Saadatu Sani, the group described Cleopas’ position as unfortunate and said it reflected what it called a misunderstanding of the independent character and organizational structure of the OK Movement.
The controversy followed the movement’s announcement on Thursday of a 59-member PCC comprising zonal and state coordinators, as well as directors responsible for mobilization, women affairs, strategy, security, legal affairs and other areas ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The movement said the council, headed by John Ughulu as Director-General, was established to take its message and programme to Nigerians across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
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However, in a statement titled “Re: Purported OK Movement PCC Announcement,” the NDC National Chairman said the PCC announced by the movement did not emanate from the party and should therefore be disregarded by the public and the media.
Cleopas said no individual, candidate or support group was authorized to constitute or announce a campaign structure in the name of the party without the prior approval of the National Working Committee (NWC).
He also warned members, candidates and support groups against actions that could undermine or demarket the party, stressing that only the party leadership could constitute and announce a presidential campaign council.
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Responding, Sani urged the NDC chairman to familiarize himself with the party’s constitution before making pronouncements on the rights and responsibilities of support groups.
She said the OK Movement respected the supremacy of political parties within their constitutional and statutory sphere, but maintained that its support for the NDC did not make it a subordinate organ of the party.
“The OK Movement does not engage in such politics. We will not be dragged into a politics of personal insults, intimidation or defamatory exchanges.
“We will continue to educate rather than abuse. We will continue to defend the principles upon which this movement was established.”
Sani called on Cleopas to withdraw what the movement described as defamatory statements and tender an apology to the OK Movement and its Director-General, Ughulu.
She said the movement would campaign for the NDC’s presidential and vice-presidential candidates, as well as other NDC candidates where it had resolved to support them, but maintained that it did not require the personal approval of any individual to conduct its organizational activities.
According to Sani, the movement has a nationwide grassroots structure with about 2.5 million registered members and coordinators in its database.
She also described the OK Movement as a political movement with a long-term vision rather than a temporary support group created solely for the 2027 elections.
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On allegations concerning Ughulu’s involvement in the Lagos State primary, Sani said the movement would continue to defend its members whenever their integrity was questioned.
She reiterated that the movement recognized the authority of political parties within their constitutional and statutory sphere and the need to work with the NDC and support its candidates.
However, she maintained that the OK Movement has its own leadership, organizational structure, ideology and internal processes.
“The OK Movement is bigger than any individual, office holder or group of individuals. The ideology upon which this movement was established will outlive its founding members and every individual currently occupying a leadership position.
“Our principles cannot be compromised for political convenience. Our words are clear, and our moral values remain our guiding principles.”
Sani further said the movement was grassroots-driven and did not depend on the sponsorship of any individual or political office holder.
