- Safiu Kehinde
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has dissociated itself from the Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) constituted by Obi-Kwankwaso (OK) Movement.
OK Movement, the support group of the NDC’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, had, on Thursday, unveiled a 59-member presidential campaign council ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The council has the Director-General of the movement, John Ughulu, as Director-General of the campaign, while the National Secretary, Saadatu Sani, was also listed among the campaign leadership.
It equally has zonal and state coordinators as well as directors for mobilisation, women affairs, strategy, security, legal affairs and other key areas.
Reacting in a statement issued on Saturday by its National Chairman, Sen. Moses Cleopas, NDC described the announcement as unauthorised and urged the public and media to disregard it.
According to Cleopas, all candidates are contesting elections on the platform of NDC and are therefore subject to its authority and discipline, rather than operating as independent candidates.
The NDC chairman said that only the party leadership had the authority to constitute and announce its presidential campaign council.
He added that no individual, candidate or support group was authorised to create or publish campaign structures in the party’s name without approval from the National Working Committee (NWC).
‘All candidates of the party must appreciate that they are not running as independent candidates.
‘They are products of the party and remain subject to the authority and discipline of the party.
‘Therefore. only the party’s leadership can constitute and announce a Presidential Campaign Council (PCC).
‘No member, candidate, or support group should, under any guise, undermine the party or demarket the party.
‘Henceforth, no individual or group is authorized to announce, constitute, or publish any campaign council, structure, or organ in the name of the party without prior approval from the National Working Committee (NWC).’ He said.
Cleopas, however, acknowledged the contributions of support groups and encouraged their continued support for its political objectives.
He said such groups could collaborate with the party but should not regard themselves as alternative structures or parallel organs of the NDC.
He also urged members and support groups with grievances to use the party’s internal channels for resolution rather than engaging in public attacks against the party.
The national chairman said that Ughulu had been referred to the appropriate disciplinary organ of the party over what he described as his “excesses” during the party’s primary election in Lagos and repeated disregard for party authority.
He said that the disciplinary process would be conducted in line with the provisions of the party’s constitution.
‘The party recognizes and deeply appreciates the contributions of all support groups and encourages their continued support.
‘We welcome even more support groups who identify with our mission to rescue Nigeria.
‘While the party will continue to work collaboratively with all support groups, such groups should not see themselves as alternative party structures or parallel organs of the party.
‘We expect a stop to unnecessary attacks against the party on whose platform our candidates are running.
‘If there are any differences or grievances, support groups and members are advised to refer such matters to the party through appropriate internal channels for resolution rather than resorting to public attacks.
‘For this act of affront and his excesses during the primary election in Lagos State, and for his repeated disregard for party authority, the party is constrained to enforce disciplinary measures against Mr. Ugulu.
‘He is hereby referred to the appropriate disciplinary organ of the party for necessary action in line with the provisions of the party’s constitution.’ He said.
Cleopas said that NDP remained focused on its issue-based campaign and commitment to delivering what he described as a ‘New Nigeria that is possible’.