2027: OK Movement Questions Exclusion of Its Coordinators From NDC Campaign Council

The Obi-Kwankwaso (OK) Movement has questioned the grassroots capacity and electoral preparedness of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) following the party’s unveiling of its National Campaign Council ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The movement’s Director-General, John Ughulu, criticised the timing of the announcement, arguing that the party had delayed establishing its campaign machinery and had yet to demonstrate the grassroots strength required to mobilise voters nationwide.

Ughulu made the remarks on Monday in a statement issued to journalists in Abuja, a day after the NDC announced the composition of its campaign council ahead of its inauguration in the Federal Capital Territory.

He also claimed that the OK Movement had developed a stronger mobilisation network and predicted that some members of the newly constituted council might eventually seek its support.

“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!” he said.

Questioning the party’s preparedness, Ughulu challenged its leadership to explain why it had taken so long to constitute its campaign team.

“With less than three months to the general elections, they are only just announcing their Presidential Campaign Council. What exactly have they been doing all this time? Where is the structure? Where is the strategy? Where is the machinery required to prosecute a serious national election?” he asked.

The criticism comes amid growing disagreements between the NDC and the OK Movement over the movement’s organisational independence and its role in mobilising support for the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso.

The NDC on Sunday announced its National Campaign Council, naming the party’s National Leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, as chairman, while Obi was appointed co-chairman.

The party’s National Chairman, Senator Cleopas Moses Zuwoghe, was named vice-chairman, with Kwankwaso designated co-vice-chairman.

Other prominent members of the council include former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, who was appointed 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 NDC’s National Secretary, Ikenna Enekweizu, was appointed secretary of the council, while Ibrahim Abdulkarim was named Director-General.

Ughulu and the OK Movement’s state, local government and ward coordinators were not included in the announced list, a development that has further highlighted questions surrounding the relationship between the movement and the party’s campaign leadership.

The dispute underscores the organisational challenges facing political groups seeking to align campaign structures, grassroots mobilisation and leadership responsibilities ahead of the 2027 general elections.