The Obidient-Kwankwaso (OK) Movement has formally declared that it does not require personal validation or approval from any individual within the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) to perform its organizational functions, escalating tensions over campaign leadership structures ahead of the 2027 general elections.
​The reaction followed a press statement issued on Saturday, September 19, 2026, by NDC National Chairman Senator Cleopas Moses. The NDC leadership disowned a 59-member Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) unveiled earlier in the week by the support movement and referred its Director-General, John Ughulu, to a disciplinary committee.
​In a counter-statement released on Sunday afternoon, September 20, 2026, in Abuja by the movement’s National Secretary, Saadatu Sani, the coalition affirmed its operational autonomy while reiterating commitment to its principals, presidential candidate Peter Obi and running mate Rabiu Kwankwaso.
On Thursday, September 17, 2026, at an event in Abuja, National Secretary Saadatu Sani announced the formation of a 59-member campaign council headed by Director-General John Ughulu to drive grassroots mobilization across the six geopolitical zones.
On Saturday, September 19, 2026, NDC National Chairman Senator Cleopas Moses issued a directive disowning the body, stating that candidates are products of the party subject to its discipline, and warning that only the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) holds authority to constitute an official PCC.
Replying on Sunday, September 20, 2026, the OK Movement maintained that as an independent support structure, its internal leadership appointments and grassroots operations proceed in accordance with established voluntary processes rather than party-dictated clearances.
​”The appointments represent a call to duty, sacrifice, leadership, and service. The council has been entrusted with taking the vision and aspirations of our principals from the cities to the grassroots across the federation.” said Saadatu Sani, speaking at the inauguration in Abuja on Thursday, Sept 17, 2026.
​”For the avoidance of doubt, the party wishes to state categorically that it dissociates itself in totality from the said OK Movement PCC announcement… Only the party’s leadership can constitute and announce a Presidential Campaign Council. No individual or group is authorised to announce or constitute any structure in the name of the party without prior NWC approval.” Senator Cleopas Moses declared.
​The dispute highlights emerging friction between independent volunteer support bases and formal political party frameworks as political alignments solidify ahead of the 2027 campaign season.
