The leadership of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has distanced itself from the 59-member presidential campaign council recently unveiled by the OK Movement, a support group backing the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso.
The NDC national chairman, Cleopas Moses, made the position known in a statement issued on Saturday, declaring that the campaign council did not originate from the party and should be disregarded by the public and the media.
According to Naija News, the OK Movement announced the 59-member committee on Thursday. The committee comprises zonal and state coordinators, alongside directors responsible for mobilisation, women’s affairs, strategy, security, legal affairs, and other areas of campaign coordination.
However, Moses stated that the NDC was not involved in the formation of the council and had not authorised the announcement.
NDC Rejects OK Movement’s Campaign Council
In his statement, the NDC national chairman formally dissociated the party from the campaign council announced by the support group.
“The party hereby dissociates itself in totality from the said OK Movement PCC announcement. It did not emanate from the party and should be disregarded by the public and the media,” Moses said.
He emphasised that the party’s candidates were not contesting as independent candidates but were operating under the authority and discipline of the NDC.
Moses maintained that the power to constitute and publicly announce a presidential campaign council rested exclusively with the party’s leadership.
“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,” he said.
Party Warns Against Unauthorised Structures
The NDC chairman further cautioned party members, candidates, and support groups against creating or promoting political structures in the name of the party without official approval.
He stated that no individual or group had the authority to announce, establish, or publish a campaign council or other party organ without prior clearance from the National Working Committee (NWC).
“Henceforth, no individual or group is authorised 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),” Moses said.
The warning comes amid the party’s efforts to maintain control over its official campaign structures and ensure that activities carried out in its name receive the necessary authorisation.
NDC Clarifies Relationship With Support Groups
While acknowledging the role of support groups in advancing the party’s political activities, Moses urged such organisations to operate in collaboration with the NDC rather than establishing parallel structures.
He noted that the party remained open to working with support groups but stressed that their activities should not undermine the party’s established leadership and organisational framework.
“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,” he said.
Moses also advised party members and support groups with grievances to use the NDC’s internal resolution mechanisms instead of engaging in public criticism or attacks.
What the NDC’s Statement Means
The statement from the NDC leadership indicates that the 59-member presidential campaign council announced by the OK Movement does not have the party’s stated authorisation. The party has also reiterated that campaign structures must be constituted and announced through its approved leadership channels.
The development highlights the importance of coordination between political parties, their candidates, and affiliated support groups as preparations for electoral activities continue.