The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has distanced itself from a purported 59-member Presidential Campaign Council announced by the “OK Movement”, insisting that the structure was neither authorized nor constituted by the party.
The party said the announcement, attributed to John Ugulu, did not emanate from the NDC and should therefore be disregarded by members of the public and the media.
In a statement signed by its National Chairman, Senator Cleopas Moses, the NDC said only the leadership of the party had the authority to constitute and officially announce a Presidential Campaign Council.
The development followed the unveiling by the OK Movement of a 59-member campaign structure comprising zonal and state coordinators as well as officials responsible for areas including mobilization, women’s affairs, strategy, security and legal affairs.
Moses said the party had taken note of the publication credited to Ugulu and made it clear that the NDC was not associated with the announced structure.
“For the avoidance of doubt, 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,” he said.
The NDC stressed that all its candidates contesting elections on its platform remained subject to the authority, rules and disciplinary mechanisms of the party.
“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,” Moses said.
He added that no individual, candidate or support group was authorized to establish or publicize a campaign council, structure or organ in the name of the NDC without prior approval from the National Working Committee (NWC).
The party, however, acknowledged the role of support groups in advancing its political activities, saying it remained willing to work with groups that identified with its political mission.
It cautioned such groups against presenting themselves as alternative structures or parallel organs of the party.
“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,” the statement said.
The NDC also called on members and support groups with grievances to use the party’s established internal mechanisms for resolving disagreements rather than engaging in public attacks.
The party said it had referred Ugulu to its appropriate disciplinary organ over what it described as his conduct during the party’s Lagos State primary and repeated disregard for party authority.
According to the NDC, the disciplinary process would be handled in accordance with the provisions of its constitution.
The party nevertheless reiterated its willingness to work with legitimate support groups, while maintaining a distinction between such groups and the formal organs of the NDC.
It said it remained focused on an issue-based campaign and its stated political objective of delivering what it described as “a New Nigeria that is Possible.”
The development comes as political parties and support groups begin organizing structures ahead of the 2027 general elections, placing renewed attention on the relationship between formal party organs and affiliated campaign organizations.
