NDC Disowns OK Movement Campaign Council, Raising Fresh Questions Over Obi-Kwankwaso Alliance

NDC Disowns OK Movement — OGM News NG | The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has moved to distance itself from a Presidential Campaign Council announced by the Obi-Kwankwaso (OK) Movement, warning that support groups cannot independently create structures and present them as official organs of the party.

In a statement dated September 19, 2026, and signed by National Chairman Senator Cleopas Moses, the party said it had taken note of a publication attributed to OK Movement leader John Ugulu announcing a Presidential Campaign Council. The NDC said the council was not authorised by the party and should therefore be disregarded by the public and the media.

The development comes as the NDC continues building its organisational structure ahead of the 2027 elections. The Independent National Electoral Commission currently lists Senator Cleopas Moses Zuwoghe as the party’s National Chairman and identifies the leadership as being recognised pursuant to court orders.

NDC Says: Support Group, Yes; Parallel Government, No

NDC Disowns OK Movement — OGM News NG | According to the party’s statement supplied to OGM News, the NDC maintains that its candidates operate under the authority of the party and are not independent candidates. It said only the appropriate party leadership can constitute and announce a Presidential Campaign Council.

The warning is significant because the OK Movement has publicly positioned itself as a grassroots support organisation for the NDC presidential ticket. In August, the movement reaffirmed John Ughulu as its Director-General and rejected proposals to merge it into the NDC, while maintaining that it could cooperate with political allies while retaining its organisational independence.

Now, however, the two structures appear to have collided over the question of who gets to officially organise the campaign. The OK Movement announced a 59-member Presidential Campaign Council on September 17, with Ughulu listed as its Director-General and representatives drawn from the geopolitical zones, FCT and the states.

NDC Disowns OK Movement: Disciplinary Referral Adds Another Layer to the Drama

NDC Disowns OK Movement — OGM News NG | The NDC’s statement says Ugulu has been referred to the party’s disciplinary organ following what it describes as an affront to party authority, alleged excesses during the Lagos State primary and repeated disregard for the party’s directives.

The party also warned members and support groups against publicly undermining or “demarketing” the NDC. It said support organisations remain welcome but must not portray themselves as alternative party structures or parallel organs. Grievances, it added, should be addressed through internal mechanisms rather than public confrontation.

The timing is notable. The NDC has already faced disputes arising from its primaries and established a reconciliation structure to address grievances involving aspirants, stakeholders and party officials. The latest dispute therefore adds another organisational headache to a party still consolidating its structures after its registration and subsequent court-related battles over its official identity and leadership.

NDC Disowns OK Movement — OGM News NG | For political observers, the immediate issue is less about who can mobilise supporters and more about the distinction between a party structure and a support structure. The NDC says that distinction must remain clear; the OK Movement’s previously stated position has been that it is an independent support organisation capable of coordinating with political allies. Those competing organisational claims are now producing a very public disagreement.

The situation remains developing, and OGM News will continue watching for responses from John Ugulu, the OK Movement and the NDC’s disciplinary authorities. For now, the campaign council may have been announced, but the party leadership is making it clear that, in its view, the final stamp of approval belongs to the NDC itself.