The Nigeria Democratic Congress has disowned a 59-member Presidential Campaign Council unveiled by the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement, saying it was not authorized by the party.
NDC National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas, said this in a statement issued on Saturday, September 19, 2026, two days after the movement announced the council ahead of the 2027 elections.
The structure covers the six geopolitical zones, the Federal Capital Territory and the 36 states, with officials assigned to mobilization, women affairs, strategy, security, legal affairs and other functions.
The movement’s Director-General, John Ughulu, was named to lead the council, while National Secretary, Saadatu Sani, was listed as secretary.
Cleopas said only the party leadership could constitute and announce its presidential campaign council, directing members and support groups to secure National Working Committee approval before creating or publicising structures in the NDC’s name.
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He said candidates contesting under the party’s platform remained subject to its authority and disciplinary procedures.
The NDC acknowledged the contribution of support groups but warned them against operating as parallel structures. It also urged members with grievances to use internal channels rather than engage in public attacks.
The chairman further disclosed that Ughulu had been referred to the party’s disciplinary organ over his conduct during the Lagos State primary and alleged repeated disregard for party authority.
Ughulu, however, maintained that the OK Movement was an independent political group supporting its preferred candidates and not an organ of the NDC.
The dispute comes amid the movement’s mobilisation for the 2027 presidential bid of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso on the NDC platform.