Peter Obi Rejects OK Movement Campaign Council, Says It Lacks His Approval

Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has distanced himself from the 59-member Presidential Campaign Council recently constituted by the Obi-Kwankwaso (OK) Movement ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Obi said the council was formed without his knowledge or approval, stressing that support groups backing his presidential bid should support the NDC rather than assume the functions of the political party.

The former Anambra State governor stated this on Thursday during an appearance on Arise Television’s Prime Time, while reacting to the disagreement between the NDC and the OK Movement over the campaign structure.

According to Obi, the NDC remains the political party to which he, his running mate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and their supporters belong, while the OK Movement, Obidient groups, Kwankwasiyya and other organisations are support groups.

He said such groups should complement the party and not establish structures that could be seen as performing the functions of the party.

Asked whether the OK Movement campaign council was constituted with his knowledge or approval, Obi said it was not.

He added that because the movement was established around him and Kwankwaso, any action undertaken in their name should have the express approval of both of them.

The development followed the unveiling of the 59-member campaign council by the OK Movement on September 17. The structure comprised zonal and state coordinators as well as directors overseeing areas including mobilisation, women’s affairs, strategy, security and legal affairs.

The movement’s Director-General, John Ughulu, was named Director-General of the campaign council, while its National Secretary, Saadatu Sani, was appointed secretary. (TheCable)

The NDC subsequently dissociated itself from the council, saying the structure did not emanate from the party. The party’s National Chairman, Cleopas Moses, said only the party leadership could constitute and announce its official Presidential Campaign Council and urged the public to disregard the list.

However, the OK Movement rejected the NDC’s position, maintaining that it was an independent organisation with its own leadership and internal structures. The movement also said it would continue mobilising support for Obi and Kwankwaso, as well as other candidates it had resolved to support.

NDC National Leader and former Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, had earlier criticised the creation of the campaign council, arguing that support groups should focus on grassroots mobilisation rather than assume the responsibilities of the political party.

Obi, in his latest remarks, said he agreed with Dickson’s position and reiterated that support groups should operate in support of the NDC rather than establish parallel party structures.