‘We Do Not Recognise’ – NDC Rejects Oghulu’s OK Movement Faction

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has disowned a faction of the Obi-Kwankwaso (OK) Movement led by John Oghulu, saying the group does not represent the support movement recognised by the party.

NDC Director of New Media and Strategic Communications, Theo Abu Agada, made the clarification on Wednesday while reacting to a statement attributed to Oghulu.

Oghulu had insisted that his faction of the OK Movement would not hand over its structures to the NDC.

He maintained that the movement was an independent political organisation and not an ordinary support group that could be absorbed into the structure of the party.

The structures in question include the movement’s national, state, local government and ward organisations.

Oghulu also rejected the suggestion that the group should dissolve its structures and operate solely under the direction of the NDC.

He argued that the OK Movement had its own identity and membership base, despite its support for the NDC’s presidential ticket involving Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso.

The position has now triggered a fresh response from the NDC, with Agada insisting that the faction led by Oghulu is not the OK Movement known to the party.

“The OK movement that we know, did not authorize this statement.

“The OK Movement that has been driving mobilization for the NDC across Nigeria is working closely with the party.

“The John Oghulu who authored this statement that you are circulating, is the one the National Leader was referring to in the video that is circulation on social media.

“He is working against the NDC and the Obidient movement,” Agada wrote on 𝕏.

The spokesperson’s statement effectively draws a line between the faction led by Oghulu and the OK Movement leadership recognised by the NDC.

It also indicates that the disagreement is not simply about the name of the movement but about who controls its structures and how it should relate with the political party.

The dispute became more pronounced after Oghulu announced plans linked to an OK Movement campaign council for the 2027 elections.

The NDC had earlier rejected the campaign council, stating that it was not authorised by the party.

The party maintained that only its National Working Committee has the authority to establish or announce a formal campaign structure in its name.

The NDC leadership has repeatedly stressed that support groups working for the party and its candidates must operate within an agreed framework.

NDC National Leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, had also addressed the issue while speaking about the role of support groups within the party.

Dickson warned that support groups should not establish structures that compete with the party.

He said such organisations were created to assist political parties and candidates rather than challenge their authority or create parallel political structures.

The former Bayelsa State governor said the NDC was prepared to accommodate different support groups willing to work with the party.

However, he maintained that their activities should complement the party’s structures and mobilisation efforts.

Dickson’s position followed the controversy surrounding the activities of the OK Movement and its attempt to establish a campaign structure for the NDC presidential ticket.

The NDC has also made it clear that its candidates remain subject to the authority of the party.

The party’s position was earlier reinforced by National Chairman Senator Cleopas Moses, who said the purported OK Movement Presidential Campaign Council was not authorised by the NDC.

He urged members of the public and the media to disregard the announcement.

The party also moved against Oghulu by referring him to its disciplinary organ over what it described as conduct that breached the party’s authority.

The OK Movement, however, has continued to insist that it is an independent organisation.

Its supporters have argued that supporting the NDC and its presidential candidates does not automatically mean surrendering the movement’s identity or internal structures to the party.

The group has also maintained that its members come from different political backgrounds but are united by their support for the Obi-Kwankwaso ticket.