Peter Obi rejects OK Movement campaign council

Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), President Peter Obi has rejected the Presidential Campaign Council recently constituted by the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement, saying support groups must not assume the functions of the political party ahead of the 2027 elections.

Mr Obi made the remarks on Arise TV’s Prime Time program on Thursday while responding to the dispute between the NDC and the OK Movement over the 59-member campaign council unveiled by the group on September 17.

The former Anambra State governor said the NDC remained the political platform for his presidential bid and that groups such as the OK Movement, Obidient groups, and Kwankwasiyya should operate as support organizations for the party.

“First, NDC is the political party we all belong to. And I agree entirely with the position of the leader,” Obi said.

“OK Movement, Obidient group, Kwankwasiyya, and other supporting groups are supporting groups. They must play their role as supporting groups, supporting the party. They should not play the role of the party.”
Peter Obi says he did not approve campaign council

The OK Movement unveiled a 59-member Presidential Campaign Council on September 17, comprising zonal and state coordinators as well as directors responsible for mobilisation, women’s affairs, strategy, security, legal affairs and other areas.

The NDC subsequently dissociated itself from the structure, saying it was not authorised by the party and should be disregarded.

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

“Not at all. And I say it here, it is wrong,” he said.

“You are supporting—OK Movement is Obi and Kwankwaso. So whatever you do must have express approval of both of us.”

The dispute followed earlier comments by NDC National Leader and former Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, who said support groups should complement the party rather than establish structures performing the functions of its official campaign machinery.

Dickson said such organizations should focus on grassroots mobilization and support for the party’s candidates.
OK Movement insists on independence

The OK Movement has rejected the NDC’s position, maintaining that it is an independent political organization with its own leadership and internal structures.

The movement said it did not require approval from individuals within the NDC to carry out its organisational functions and insisted that it would not surrender or have its structures absorbed into the party.

Meanwhile, the NDC has said it is preparing its own official Presidential Campaign Council and has given Obi and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, authority to nominate key officials in consultation with the party leadership.

The party said the official campaign structure would be announced and inaugurated after consultations with Obi and Kwankwaso are completed.