The Obidient-Kwankwaso (OK) Movement has pushed back against the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) after the party rejected its newly unveiled 59-member presidential campaign council, insisting it operates as an independent organisation that does not require approval from any party figure to carry out its activities.
OK Movement National Secretary, Saadatu Sani, addressed remarks attributed to NDC National Chairman, Sen. Moses Cleopas, urging him to read the party's constitution before making public statements. As reported by Daily Trust, Sani issued the response from Abuja on Sunday, September 20, 2026.
Dispute Over Campaign Council Legitimacy
On Thursday, the OK Movement unveiled a 59-member presidential campaign council, naming John Ughulu as National Director-General and Saadatu Sani as National Secretary. The following day, NDC issued a statement distancing itself from the council and calling on the public to disregard it entirely.
Sani, in her Sunday response, acknowledged that political parties hold constitutional supremacy in their respective domains but argued that the OK Movement remains a structurally independent organisation with its own leadership and internal processes. She said the movement would continue to campaign for NDC's presidential and vice-presidential candidates, as well as other candidates where it had chosen to offer support.
"The OK Movement does not require the personal validation or approval of any individual before exercising its legitimate organisational functions in accordance with established processes," she said.
Movement Claims 2.5 Million Members
Sani said the movement was built from the grassroots up and does not rely on funding from any individual or political officeholder. She added that the OK Movement was not seeking political appointments within NDC as a precondition for its support.
According to Sani, the movement's internal records show about 2.5 million registered members and coordinators spread across the country, supported by relevant data. She described the OK Movement not as a temporary election-cycle group but as an organisation with a defined philosophy, structure and long-term goals.
"We speak for Nigerians who are demanding a better political system, economic opportunity, accountability and a government that places citizens at the centre," she said.
Allegations and Demand for Apology
Sani also addressed allegations against Ughulu relating to his alleged involvement in the Lagos State primaries, saying the matter required clarification. She said the movement would defend its members whenever their integrity was under scrutiny, though it would not resort to personal insults or defamatory exchanges.
She called on the NDC national chairman to retract the statements the movement considered defamatory and issue an apology to both the OK Movement and Ughulu. "The OK Movement will not compromise its standards. The OK Movement will not surrender its independence. The OK Movement will not be intimidated," Sani added.
Related Incident in Delta State
Meanwhile, Legit.ng also reported that suspected thugs allegedly attacked supporters of Peter Obi and his running mate Rabiu Kwankwaso in Warri, Delta State. A photographer linked to Obi raised the alarm on X, claiming the attackers targeted the Delta State governorship candidate and his entourage. A video showing a chaotic scene circulated alongside the allegations, as political activity around the 2027 elections intensifies.
