The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has disowned a purported Presidential Campaign Council announced under the banner of the ‘OK Movement’, warning members and support groups against creating parallel structures outside the party’s authority.

But the Obi-Kwankwaso (OK) Movement refused to back down after the party disowned its Presidential Campaign Council.

This reportedly forced the National Head of Operations of the OK Movement, Francis Nnoli, to resign.

The party also announced disciplinary action against one John Ugulu, whom it accused of repeatedly disregarding the party leadership’s authority and committing “excesses” during the party’s primary election in Lagos State.

NDC National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas, made the position known in a statement at the weekend in response to a publication attributed to Ugulu announcing the Presidential Campaign Council.

The party said the announcement did not originate from the NDC and urged the public and media to disregard it.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the party wishes to state categorically that the party hereby dissociates itself in totality from the said OK Movement PCC announcement,” the statement noted.

NDC stressed that its candidates were contesting elections on the party’s platform and were therefore subject to its authority and disciplinary structures.

According to the party, only its leadership has the authority to constitute and announce a PCC.

It warned that no individual, candidate or support group would be permitted to establish or announce a campaign council, structure or organ in the name of the NDC without prior approval from the National Working Committee (NWC).

THE OK Movement has called the bluff of the NDC leadership, insisting that it would not be intimidated or surrender its independence.

The fresh confrontation followed the NDC’s rejection of a 59-member PCC announced by the movement to mobilise support for the party’s presidential and vice-presidential candidates, Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso.

The party also referred the OK Movement’s Director-General, Ughulu, to its disciplinary organ over what it described as his “excesses”.

But the OK Movement’s response has turned the disagreement into a more open confrontation.

In a statement signed by its National Secretary, Saadatu Sani, the movement declared that it would not be intimidated by the NDC chairman’s position.

The group said it recognised the supremacy of political parties within their constitutional and statutory sphere and remained committed to campaigning for the NDC presidential ticket.

However, it drew a clear line between supporting the party and being controlled by its leadership.

The OK Movement claimed that its internal records contain about 2.5 million registered members and coordinators nationwide, describing itself as a grassroots organisation with a long-term political vision.

NNOLI resigned over what he described as a growing disconnect between the movement and the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

His resignation followed a disagreement over whether the OK Movement should operate independently or formally align with the NDC, the platform on which Peter Obi and Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso are pursuing their joint 2027 presidential bid.

In a statement yesterday, Nnoli noted that his decision was driven by the need for political discipline, structural clarity and coordination between support groups, candidates and the party.

“Every support structure established around a political ticket must operate with a clear understanding of its relationship with the political party, its candidates and the broader political mandate it seeks to advance,” Nnoli said.