OK Movement Fires Back at NDC Over Campaign Council, Claims Stronger Grassroots Structure

The Obi-Kwankwaso Movement has criticised the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) over the composition of its National Campaign Council, questioning the party’s readiness for the 2027 general elections and claiming it has a stronger grassroots mobilisation network.

The Director-General of the OK Movement, John Ughulu, made the remarks in a statement issued to journalists in Abuja on Monday, a day after the NDC announced its campaign council ahead of its inauguration.

Ughulu argued that political ambition alone would not guarantee electoral success without effective grassroots mobilisation, strategic planning and coordination. He also claimed that the movement had begun building its organisational structure well before the electioneering period.

“The funny part of this list is that 90 per cent of the people on it will still come knocking on the doors of the OK Movement to beg for the very structure they have failed to build themselves,” he said.

The dispute comes amid disagreements over the relationship between the NDC and the OK Movement, which supports the political project involving Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso. Ughulu and the movement’s state, local government and ward coordinators were not included in the NDC’s announced campaign council.

The NDC named its National Leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, as chairman of the National Campaign Council, with Obi appointed co-chairman. National Chairman Senator Cleopas Moses Zuwoghe was named vice-chairman, while Kwankwaso was appointed co-vice-chairman.

Other appointees include former Secretary to the Government of the Federation Babachir Lawal, who was named chairman of the National Advisory Council; former Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege; political economist Pat Utomi; and Buba Galadima. Ikenna Enekweizu was named council secretary, while Ibrahim Abdulkarim was appointed director-general.

The disagreement has also centred on the OK Movement’s decision to establish its own presidential campaign council. Dickson previously described the move as “unheard of” and “nonsensical”, arguing that support groups should complement political parties rather than operate competing structures.

Ughulu, however, maintained that the OK Movement was an independent political organisation and would not surrender its national, state, local government or ward structures to the NDC or any other organisation. He said elections required sustained organisation beyond the appointment of prominent figures to campaign positions.

“Elections are not won by titles, press releases, political noise, or the number of big names on a campaign council. Elections are won through grassroots mobilisation, effective coordination, strategic planning, committed people, and a well-established structure that reaches every polling unit,” he said.

The NDC was scheduled to inaugurate its National Campaign Council and commission its national secretariat in Abuja on Monday. The programme was also expected to include the presentation of Certificates of Return to its candidates for presidential, governorship, National Assembly and state House of Assembly elections.

Ughulu insisted that the OK Movement would remain committed to the Obi-Kwankwaso political project while maintaining its organisational independence. He challenged political leaders who had criticised the movement to recognise the value of its grassroots network as preparations for the elections continued.