OK Movement faults NDC campaign council list, questions its election readiness and claims a stronger grassroots structure for 2027
The Obi-Kwankwaso Movement (OK Movement) has criticised the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) over its newly unveiled National Campaign Council, questioning the party’s readiness for the 2027 general elections and claiming a stronger grassroots structure.
Also read: Wike Denies Endorsing LP Candidate Ishaku Abbo
Director-General of the OK Movement, John Ughulu, said the NDC waited too long to establish its campaign machinery, arguing that political ambition alone would not translate into electoral success without effective grassroots mobilisation and coordination.
Ughulu made the remarks on Monday in a statement issued to journalists in Abuja, a day after the NDC announced members of its National Campaign Council ahead of its inauguration.
He questioned what the party had been doing with less than three months to the election, insisting that a serious presidential campaign required an established structure and strategy.
“The funny part of this list is that 90 per cent of the people on it will still come knocking on the doors of the OK Movement to beg for the very structure they have failed to build themselves!”
Ughulu also argued that elections were not won simply through prominent names, titles or political publicity.
“Elections are not won by titles, press releases, political noise, or the number of big names on a campaign council. Elections are won through grassroots mobilisation, effective coordination, strategic planning, committed people, and a well-established structure that reaches every polling unit,” he said.
The criticism followed the NDC’s announcement of its National Campaign Council on Sunday.
The party named its National Leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, as chairman of the council, while its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, was appointed co-chairman.
NDC National Chairman, Senator Cleopas Moses Zuwoghe, was named vice-chairman, with former Kano State governor Rabiu Kwankwaso serving as co-vice-chairman.
Other prominent members include former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, who was named chairman of the National Advisory Council; former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege; former presidential candidate Pat Utomi; and former National Secretary of the Congress for Progressive Change, Buba Galadima.
The party’s National Secretary, Ikenna Enekweizu, was appointed council secretary, while Ibrahim Abdulkarim was named Director-General.
However, Ughulu and the OK Movement’s state, local government and ward coordinators were not included in the campaign council.
The omission comes amid an ongoing disagreement between the NDC and the OK Movement over the movement’s organisational role in the Obi-Kwankwaso campaign.
The dispute intensified after the OK Movement established its own presidential campaign council, a move Dickson previously described as “unheard of” and “nonsensical”.
The former Bayelsa State governor argued that support groups should complement political parties rather than create parallel campaign structures.
Dickson also maintained that the NDC was prepared to work with support groups but expected them to operate within clearly defined roles.
Ughulu, however, rejected the description of the OK Movement as a conventional support group.
He insisted that the organisation was an independent political structure with national, state, local government and ward-level networks that it would not surrender to the NDC or any other organisation.
“We did not wait for the election to approach before recognising the importance of grassroots organisation. We understood from the beginning that a presidential ambition without a functional grassroots structure is nothing more than a political wish!” he said.
Ughulu further predicted that some of the politicians appointed to the NDC campaign council could eventually seek the support of the OK Movement as the election draws closer.
He asked whether those who had criticised the movement would be willing to respect its organisational structure if they eventually needed its network.
“But the question is: Will they respect the structure they are now coming to depend on?” he asked.
The NDC is scheduled to inaugurate its National Campaign Council and commission its newly acquired national secretariat in Abuja on Monday.
The party is also expected to present Certificates of Return to its candidates for the presidential, governorship, National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly elections as part of activities marking its third National Executive Committee meeting.
A dinner is expected to follow the programme.
Ughulu maintained that the OK Movement would not accept a ceremonial role, arguing that its strength was rooted in its organisational capacity and commitment to the Obi-Kwankwaso political project.
“Leadership is not about who makes the loudest noise. Leadership is about who prepares, organises, builds, and delivers when it matters most,” he said.
Also read: Wike Denies Endorsing LP Candidate Ishaku Abbo
He concluded: “The OK Movement is ready. The question is: are they? Nigeria will be OK.”
