NDC leadership disowns 59-member Presidential Campaign Council unveiled by Obi, Kwankwaso Movement

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The NDC presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, (BBC)

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By Henry Umoru, ABUJA

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STRONG indications have emerged that crisis looms in the family of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, as the national leadership of the party has disowned the 59-member Presidential Campaign Council comprising zonal and state coordinators put in place by the OK Movement.

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The OK Movement, a political platform established to mobilise support for the joint ticket of the Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and his running mate, Dr Rabiu Kwankwaso.

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In a statement on Saturday, the National Chairman of NDC, Senator Cleopas Moses said that the PCC announced by the movement did not emanate from the party and should be disregarded by the public and the media.

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The statement is titled “Re: Purported OK Movement PCC Announcement”.

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According to the National Chairman, all candidates of the party must appreciate that they are not running as independent candidates against the backdrop that they are products of the party and remain subject to the authority and discipline of the party, just as he warned that only the party’s leadership can constitute and announce a Presidential Campaign Council PCC.

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He said that no member, candidate, or support group should, under any guise, undermine the party or demarket the party, stressing that henceforth, no individual or group is authorized to announce, constitute, or publish any campaign council, structure, or organ in the name of the party without prior approval from the National Working Committee (NWC).

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The statement by the NDC National Chairman disowning the action of the group read, “The leadership of our party ,the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, has noted with concern a publication credited to one John Ugulu announcing a Presidential Campaign Council under the guise of “OK Movement.”

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“For the avoidance of doubt, the party wishes to state categorically as follows:

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“The party hereby dissociates itself in totality from the said OK Movement PCC announcement. It did not emanate from the party and should be disregarded by the public and the media.

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“All candidates of the party must appreciate that they are not running as independent candidates. They are products of the party and remain subject to the authority and discipline of the party. Therefore. only the party’s leadership can constitute and announce a Presidential Campaign Council PCC.

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“No member, candidate, or support group should, under any guise, undermine the party or demarket the party.

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“Henceforth, no individual or group is authorized to announce, constitute, or publish any campaign council, structure, or organ in the name of the party without prior approval from the National Working Committee (NWC).
The party recognizes and deeply appreciates the contributions of all support groups and encourages their continued support. We welcome even more support groups who identify with our mission to rescue Nigeria.

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“While the party will continue to work collaboratively with all support groups, such groups should not see themselves as alternative party structures or parallel organs of the party.

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“We expect a stop to unnecessary attacks against the party on whose platform our candidates are running. If there are any differences or grievances, support groups and members are advised to refer such matters to the party through appropriate internal channels for resolution rather than resorting to public attacks.

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“For this act of affront and his excesses during the primary election in Lagos State, and for his repeated disregard for party authority, the party is constrained to enforce disciplinary measures against Mr. Ugulu. He is hereby referred to the appropriate disciplinary organ of the party for necessary action in line with the provisions of the party’s constitution.

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“The party remains focused on its issue-based campaign and is committed to delivering a New Nigeria that is Possible.”

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OK Movement

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Recall that the OK Movement, a political platform established to mobilise support for the joint ticket of the Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and his running mate, Dr Rabiu Kwankwaso on Thursday put in place 59-member Presidential Campaign Council comprising zonal and state coordinators.

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The group had also unveiled directors for mobilisation, women affairs, strategy, security, legal affairs and other key areas ahead of the 2027 general elections.

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The OK Movement publicly presents itself as a nationwide platform associated with the Obi–Kwankwaso political project ahead of the 2027 presidential election, stressing that its campaign structure will continue to focus on mobilisation and engagement across the 36 states and the FCT.

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In a statement in Abuja by the movement’s National Secretary, Saadatu Sani, the Presidential Campaign Council is expected to take the movement’s message and programme to Nigerians across the states, local government areas, wards and communities.

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The statement said the campaign council is headed by John Ughulu as Director-General, while Saadatu Sani serves as National Secretary.

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It added that the structure includes six zonal coordinators: Suleiman Abubakar for North Central, Hashimu Dungurawa for North West, Amadu Gwambe for North East, Dr Adebayo Adefolaseye for South West, Christopher Ighodaro for South South and El-Shaddai Ikeh for South East.

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Other appointments include Ibrahim Jabir as FCT Coordinator, while Maiyaki Samson, Tokji Mandim, Yusuf Abdullahi, Aliyu Tershaku, Awal Goma and Kazeem Olawuyi were named coordinators for Kogi, Plateau, Nasarawa, Benue, Niger and Kwara respectively.

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The statement noted that coordinators were also appointed for Kaduna, Sokoto, Kano, Zamfara, Jigawa, Kebbi and Katsina in the North West, while Adamawa, Gombe, Taraba, Bauchi, Yobe and Borno have coordinators in the North East.

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