Obi/Kwankwaso Movement slams NDC saying ‘we don’t need your permission to function’

The Obidient-Kwankwaso (OK) Movement has said that it does not require permission from the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) to carry out its legitimate organizational functions.

‌‍‍‍‍‌OK Movement National Secretary Saadatu Sani said this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja, in reaction to statements made by the party’s National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas, who stated that the party does not recognize the group and the presidential campaign council it has set up ahead of the 2027 elections.

Sani urged Cleopas to familiarize himself with the NDC constitution before making any statements.

The OK Movement on Thursday formed a 59-member presidential campaign council, with John Ughulu as National Director General and Saadatu Sani as National Secretary.

However, the NDC, in a statement issued on Saturday, distanced itself from the presidential campaign board, and urged the public to ignore it.

Sani, in his statement, said the G-30-S recognized the supremacy of political parties within the scope of the constitution and laws, but still stated that the G-30-S remained an independent organization with its own leadership and internal processes.

He insisted that the movement would campaign for the NDC presidential and vice presidential candidates as well as candidates of other parties who had decided to support them.

“The OK Movement does not require personal validation or approval from any individual before carrying out its legitimate organizational functions in accordance with established processes,” he said.

Sani said this movement was founded from the grassroots and does not depend on sponsorship from any individual or political office holder in its activities.

He added that the movement does not seek political appointments or positions within the NDC as a condition of its support, and said that its principles remain its guiding values.

Sani said the movement had developed a national grassroots structure, with internal membership records showing around 2.5 million registered members and coordinators, supported by relevant data.

According to him, the OK Movement is not a temporary support group formed for an election cycle, but an organization that has a long-term philosophy, structure and vision.

“We represent the Nigerian people who demand a better political system, economic opportunity, accountability and a government that puts citizens at the center,” he said.

Sani also responded to allegations regarding Ughulu and his alleged involvement in the Lagos State primaries, saying the matter required clarification.

He said the movement will continue to defend its members whenever their integrity is questioned, while maintaining that it will not engage in personal insults or defamation.

Sani called on the NDC national chairman to retract the statement deemed defamatory and apologize to the OK Movement and Ughulu.