₦airaland Forum

The national leadership of the OK Movement has rejected any proposal to merge the organisation with the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), insisting that it will retain its independence and continue to operate as a grassroots support movement.

The decision was reached at the organisation's National Leadership Summit held in Abuja where leaders from the six geopolitical zones, 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory also unanimously endorsed its founder, Mr. John Ughulu, as Director-General.

The development came amid moves by opposition forces to strengthen their structures ahead of the 2027 general elections through alliances, mergers and the consolidation of grassroots support groups.

In a communiqué issued yesterday at the end of the summit, the movement said the decision to retain Ughulu was based on the practical realities of its grassroots organisation, stressing that its structures had been built around the credibility and leadership of its founder.

The communiqué, signed by the Convener, Barrister Oladipo Johnson; Deputy Director-General (North), Prince Suleiman Abubakar; Deputy Director-General (South), Mrs. Oluwatoyin Lanihun; and National Secretary, Saadatu Mohammed Sani, said the National Congress reached the resolutions unanimously and without dissent.

According to the movement, "the Movement was built ward by ward, largely on the personal credibility of its founder with the volunteers who make up its ranks."

It added that the loyalty of its members was "not to a title, but to the man who recruited, trained and stood with them," arguing that the confidence of grassroots mobilisers could not be transferred in the same manner as social media handles or organisational titles.

The movement consequently declined any proposal for Ughulu's replacement as Director-General.

On the proposed merger with an external political organisation, the OK Movement declared that it would remain an independent organisation and would neither be merged into nor absorbed by another political body.

It argued that externally imposed consolidation could disrupt programmes already underway, weaken the identity recognised by its supporters and undermine the momentum built by its grassroots structures.

The movement, however, stressed that its decision to remain independent should not be interpreted as a rejection of cooperation with political allies.

"Independence does not mean isolation: we remain ready to coordinate closely with allied groups in pursuit of shared goals," it stated.

The organisation also disclosed that its state, local government and ward leaders had warned that they might withdraw from its activities if Ughulu was removed as Director-General or its independence was compromised.

The leadership described the warning as a "candid assessment” of the mood within its grassroots structures rather than an attempt to exert pressure on those negotiating the future of the movement.

It said: "Should the Director-General be removed, or the Movement’s independence set aside, they have indicated that they would not continue to operate under the resulting arrangement."

The movement said it considered it necessary to make the position public because Nigerians deserved an accurate assessment of what grassroots structures would remain available under any new arrangement. GeographicReference

In a related development, the summit extended an invitation to Ms. Jacky Wayas to return to the movement as Director for Strategic Implementation and Planning, her former office, under the leadership of the Director-General.

The organisation said Wayas' contributions remained valued and expressed willingness to welcome her back as part of efforts to promote unity.

The summit also approved the appointment of Prince Suleiman Abubakar as Deputy Director-General (North), following the resignation of Ambassador Muhammad Auwal Musa.

The movement thanked Auwal Musa for his service and wished him well in his future endeavours.

At the end of the summit, the national leadership visited former Kano State governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, at his residence to brief him on the outcome of the deliberations and the leadership's position on the unity of the movement.

The delegation also visited the head of the movement’s Advisory Council, Alhaji Buba Galadima, who, according to the communiqué, reaffirmed the importance of unity within the organisation.

Galadima reportedly encouraged the movement to remain an independent support group and cautioned against any proposal to merge it with the NDC, irrespective of how such a proposal might be presented in the name of efficiency.

The OK Movement said it remained committed to its stated objective of mobilising ordinary Nigerians behind its vision of a better Nigeria.

It appealed to stakeholders to respect what it described as the collective will of its grassroots members, freely expressed at the national summit.

The leadership maintained that its position was not intended to diminish its commitment to broader opposition cooperation, but to ensure that any collaboration preserved the organisational identity and grassroots structure painstakingly built over time.

The communiqué was endorsed by the national officers, while the signatures of the six geopolitical zonal coordinators and 37 state coordinators were said to be contained in an attached annexure.

emkz:
Obi and Kwankwaso have been working in isolation. They rarely appear together except during NDC events.

When Obi declared his campaign open, Kwankwaso was not there. When Obi went for photoshoot, Kwankwaso was not there.

Is it that they can't stand each other or Kwankwaso doesn't exactly trust Obi? Is it also that Kwankwaso cant stand those clowning around Peter Obi?

Why did Dickson call for unity?

When will Obi/Kwankwaso inaugurate their campaign council? Who'd be DG? Aisha Yesufu?

emkz:
It seems there is a battle of supremacy between Kwakwansiya Group and Obi Group, and beteen the OK group and NDC. This could stem from lack of trust.

Earlier, Seriake Dickson had asked all groups to operate under the NDC. The OK Movement is clearly rejecting that directive.

ogolemati:
you still have to create topics like this about Obi 70 times to receive your salary.well use this to hold body while on it. You can't fail ooh

TemplarLandry:
Clownss...
The only OK we know and acknowledge is Okirika wears.

emkz:
Can you swear on something you hold dear that I have received or I am receiving salary for topics on Peter Obi?

If you cannot, please be honourable and shup up. The report did not mention "Peter Obi". For your information, I am not one of you who rely on crumbs for survival. Do not ever paint me with the same brush ad yourself.

ogolemati:
before you report me to your brother, I can't accuse satan of telling lies it's his nature.continue the agbero chairman Una smuggled into aso rock has messed up the country.hope you will join Nigerians to cast him out come 2027

ogolemati:
you still have to create topics like this about Obi 70 times to receive your salary.well use this to hold body while on it. You can't fail ooh

Lithiumite:
Rather than focus on the substance of the story,why are you having several distinct support groups rather than fusing them into one,its even the more ridiculous that all your support groups are all coming tonthe public to even announce their independence and how they can't unite.......thats a recipe for disaster.

ogolemati:
you still have to create topics like this about Obi 70 times to receive your salary.well use this to hold body while on it. You can't fail ooh

bewla:
Do you no obi
This time to cash out o

We have like 2 million volunteer people with PVC that will vote for him

From KWARA to porthacort let him just give me 200 million to share for others

No worries he will win

I don't take bribe o

Just to share to them
you no they will need motivation to polling unit that's all

ogolemati:
from Una last meeting,how many times were you supposed to mention obi to receive your own payment.abi you want to go hungry next month ni

bewla:
Am trying to help ma insult be the next thing

This two million no be mouth o

Give me the money if I no delivery let me drink garri after the election

ogolemati:
ok I know something is wrong with you but you don't know right.see your senior brother quote

bewla:
Bros why this early morning insult

If you don't have is contact
Just jump and pass my comments now

I need to see that Mr
To let him know
I have and can get more volunteers to vote for him all he need to do in return is send 200 million let me use it as motivation to polling unit for them

You no by January there will be sun shine

Will need biscuits , water I don't say bottles o pure water I mean not to sound like we greedy

Then we go need fata to upload results from polling both

U no now as a Nigeria no light we go need to change our phone before going to vote

Not like. We plan to collect money o

This na motivation as I talk

Kelklein:
Me and my family are for subsidy...

That's the only thing we benefit from government..

With Dangote refineries, subsidy would be easy to trace as it would be largely on production.

This is just common sensical.

Use the 'Energy Security Expenses' to subsidize production.. more expansion of production and more jobs..

emkz:
It seems there is a battle of supremacy between Kwakwansiya Group and Obi Group, and beteen the OK group and NDC. This could stem from lack of trust.

Earlier, Seriake Dickson had asked all groups to operate under the NDC. The OK Movement is clearly rejecting that directive. They insist on tgeur independence. After their meeting, they met Kwankwaso and Buba Galadima (Kwankwaso's ally) to brief them. Why didn't they meet Peter Obi and Seriake Dickson to brief them? Who owns the OK Movement and controls it?

From the posturing of Kwankwaso, he is not too disposed to Peter Obi, at least in public. When Obi flagged open his campaign, Kwankwaso was not there. Why?

Seriake Dickson called a meeting of Obi and Kwankwaso and asked all parties to work together.

Only few days ago, I raised the following points:

ogolemati:
before you report me to your brother, I can't accuse satan of telling lies it's his nature.continue the agbero chairman Una smuggled into aso rock has messed up the country.hope you will join Nigerians to cast him out come 2027

Mrexcell:
Oga just go and rest why always trying to pick holes and paint obi as a weak politician?

emkz:
Can you swear on something you hold dear that I have received or I am receiving salary for topics on Peter Obi?

If you cannot, please be honourable and shup up. The report did not mention "Peter Obi". For your information, I am not one of you who rely on crumbs for survival. Do not ever paint me with the same brush ad yourself.