The Obi-Kwankwaso Movement, popularly known as the OK Movement, has said it does not require the approval of any individual within the Nigeria Democratic Congress to carry out its organisational activities.
The movement’s National Secretary, Saadatu Sani, stated this in a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday in response to the NDC’s rejection of its recently announced Presidential Campaign Council.
Sani also urged the NDC National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas, to familiarise himself with the party’s constitution before making further statements about the movement.
The development followed the unveiling of a 59-member Presidential Campaign Council by the OK Movement on Thursday, with John Ughulu named National Director-General and Sani as National Secretary.
However, the NDC, in a statement issued on Saturday, dissociated itself from the council and urged the public to disregard the announcement.
Responding, Sani said the movement recognised the authority of political parties within their constitutional and statutory responsibilities but remained an independent organisation with its own leadership and internal processes.
She said the OK Movement would campaign for the NDC’s presidential and vice-presidential candidates, as well as other candidates supported by the movement.
“The OK Movement does not require the personal validation or approval of any individual before exercising its legitimate organisational functions in accordance with established processes,” Sani said.
She said the movement was established from the grassroots and did not depend on sponsorship from any individual or political office holder.
Sani added that the movement was not seeking political appointments or positions within the NDC in exchange for its support.
According to her, the OK Movement has built a nationwide grassroots structure, with internal membership records indicating about 2.5 million registered members and coordinators.
She described the movement as a long-term organisation rather than a temporary support group created for an election cycle.
“We speak for Nigerians who are demanding a better political system, economic opportunity, accountability and a government that places citizens at the centre,” she said.
Sani also addressed allegations concerning Ughulu and his alleged involvement in the Lagos State primaries, saying the issue required clarification.
She said the movement would continue to defend its members whenever their integrity was questioned but would not engage in personal insults or defamatory exchanges.
Sani called on Cleopas to withdraw statements she considered defamatory and apologise to the OK Movement and Ughulu.
“The OK Movement will not compromise its standards. The OK Movement will not surrender its independence. The OK Movement will not be intimidated,” she said.
She added that the movement’s principles remained centred on organisational independence, accountability and its long-term objectives for Nigeria.
