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The Obi-Kwankwaso Movement has stated that it operates independently of Peter Obi and the Nigerian Democratic Congress, and has insisted that neither the party nor its presidential candidate finances the movement’s activities.
The movement’s Director General, John Ughulu, stated the position in a statement issued in Abuja on Friday.
Ughulu said the movement’s operations were based on its own principles, values and organizational framework, and not on financial support from the party or its presidential candidate.
He said, “The mechanism used by the OK Movement is based on established principles and values.
“Consequently, the movement does not require any financial support from His Excellency, Peter Obi, the NDC presidential candidate, or the NDC to build or operate its own organizational structure.”
The declaration comes amid a dispute between the movement and the NDC over the structure of the 2027 presidential election campaign.
This dispute occurred after the launch of the OK Movement by the 59-member Presidential Campaign Council for the Obi-Kwankwaso ticket, which was later disowned by the NDC.
The party maintains that only the National Working Committee has the authority to form a presidential campaign board.
But Ughulu said the movement’s independent status gave it the right to form and manage its own organizational structure.
His comments also followed the NDC’s announcement of the start of registration of support groups ahead of the 2027 elections.
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The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Director Osa, said that the registration was free and would be carried out exclusively by the Support Group Directorate at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja.
The director said the decision followed reports that some state chairmen were soliciting money from support groups seeking registration.
He warned that no state chapter, party functionary or official was authorized to register support groups or charge fees for the exercise, and added that anyone found violating the directions would face disciplinary action.
Against this backdrop, Ughulu stated that the OK Movement does not need to obtain approval from the NDC leadership to form or run its internal structures.
He said the movement had deliberately developed an organizational model that would prevent it from being financially dependent on Obi, his running mate, Dr Rabiu Kwankwaso, or the NDC.
Ughulu also clarified that the movement never claimed to be superior to the NDC.
According to him, the party has its own constitutional structure, while the movement operates based on its own principles, leadership and organizational framework.
He further argued that neither the Nigerian Constitution nor the NDC constitution, as presented to the movement, automatically gives the party or its presidential candidate control over the internal affairs of an independent political organization.
“There is no provision in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, or any provision in the Constitution of the NDC Party with which we are concerned, that automatically grants exclusive authority to a political party or its candidates to determine the internal organizational structure of an independent political organisation.
“The NDC Party has the right to form its own campaign structure, just as the OK Movement has the right to organize and manage its own affairs within the limits of applicable law,” he said.
Ughulu said the movement would not accept any attempts to dismantle or weaken its structures, stressing that its position should not be interpreted as a move to confront the party.
He said the movement remains open to collaboration with the NDC where their respective principles and structures can work together.
“Our position is not about confrontation. It is about clarity, institutional respect and protecting organizational independence. If the party chooses to work based on the principles, values and structures of the OK Movement, we remain ready to engage constructively.
“However, the movement cannot be forced to abandon its principles or organizational identity to satisfy the ambitions or preferences of any individual or group,” he said.
He further explained the movement’s interpretation of its independent status.
“The meaning of ‘independent’ is very clear. The NDC has the right to form and manage its own campaign structure. Likewise, independent political organizations have the right to form and manage their own organizational structure, and always comply with the law,” he said.
