Politics
OK Movement Asserts Independence, Backs Obi, Kwankwaso
The Obi-Kwankwaso Movement, OK, has rejected any attempt to place its organisational structure under the control of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
This is contained in a statement signe by the National Director-General of the movement, John Ozyl Ughulu, in Abuja
The statement frowns at the status and role of support movements within the NDC political arrangement.
It says the OK Movement was an independent political organisation with its own leadership, structures and internal mechanisms, stressing that its support for the NDC presidential ticket did not amount to organisational subordination.
The statement explains that the movement comprised Nigerians drawn from different political backgrounds who shared common political interests and supported the presidential candidature of Mr Peter Obi and the vice-presidential candidature of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
According to the statement, the Director-General acknowledges the position that movements such as the Obidient Movement and Kwankwasiyya are support movements, but stresses that the same description should not be used to redefine or undermine the identity of the OK Movement.
According to him, political cooperation between the movement and the NDC should be understood as collaboration rather than an arrangement in which one organisation assumes control over the other.
It stresses that the OK Movement had developed structures across the national, state, local government and ward levels, adding that the structures were established through the contributions and participation of its members and coordinators.
The statement maintains that the movement will neither collapse nor merge its structures into those of the NDC or any other organisation, while insisting that its internal administration remained the responsibility of its leadership.
According to the statement, the OK Movement DG also explains that the movement had the right to establish campaign and mobilisation structures in support of candidates it endorsed, provided such activities were conducted within the law and democratic framework.
It stresses that the movement did not seek to exercise supremacy over the NDC or interfere with the constitutional authority of the political party over its internal affairs.
“The movement’s demands were limited to its right to organise its members, mobilise voters, campaign for its preferred candidates and protect legitimate votes cast in their favour” Ughulu states.
It further adds that the OK Movement will continue to cooperate with the NDC while expecting the party to recognise its independent identity, structure and legitimate organisational interests.
The statement calls for respect, restraint and lawful engagement among the various political structures supporting the NDC candidates, saying disagreements should not be allowed to undermine democratic participation.
It promises to remain committed to peaceful political participation, its organisational independence and support for Obi and Kwankwaso ahead of the 2027 general elections.