OK Movement Rejects NDC Support Group Label, Insists on Independenc

The Obi-Kwankwaso Movement, popularly known as the OK Movement, has rejected claims that it is merely a support group of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, insisting that it is an independent political organisation with its own structures and internal administration.

The National Director-General of the movement, Hon. John Ozyl Ughulu, made the position known in a statement titled, “Statement on the Status, Independence and Structure of the OK Movement.”

Ughulu’s statement came a day after NDC National Leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, criticised the activities of the movement while receiving former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, into the party in Abuja.

Dickson had argued that support groups should focus on grassroots mobilisation and should not create structures that compete with the political party sponsoring their candidates. His comments followed the OK Movement’s decision to constitute a 59-member Presidential Campaign Council to mobilise support for NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso.

The NDC had earlier distanced itself from the campaign council, stating that its formation did not originate from the party.

Responding, Ughulu said the OK Movement would not accept any attempt to redefine its identity or place its organisational structures under the control of the NDC. He, however, agreed with Dickson’s description of the Obidient Movement as a support movement.

“I strongly agree with the position expressed by His Excellency, Senator Seriake Dickson, that the Obidient Movement is a support movement,” Ughulu said, noting that the coordinator of the Obidient Movement was also present at the press briefing where Dickson made the comments.

He argued that a distinction needed to be made between the different political organisations supporting the NDC’s candidates. According to him, if the Obidient Movement and Kwankwasiyya are regarded as support movements, the identity and status of the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement must also be properly defined.

The dispute highlights a disagreement over the organisational relationship between the NDC and groups campaigning for its presidential ticket. While the party has said the 59-member campaign council did not originate from it, the OK Movement maintains that it operates independently and intends to retain its own structures and administration.