OK Movement Admits 59-Member Campaign Council Was Formed Without Due Process

The OK Movement has admitted that its controversial 59-member presidential campaign council was constituted without following due process, reversing its earlier position in a dispute with the New Nigeria Development Congress (NDC) over the structure.

The Guardian reports that the movement’s spokesperson, Emmanuel Idakwo, made the clarification on Thursday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, stating that the council announced by individuals claiming to represent the group was not officially authorised.

Idakwo said the presidential candidate, Peter Obi, was not aware of the arrangement, insisting that no official decision could have been taken in the movement’s name without his knowledge.

The controversy began on September 17, when the OK Movement announced a 59-member campaign council for the 2027 presidential election, stating that it would operate independently of the NDC’s official campaign structure.

The party subsequently rejected the arrangement, warning that it could undermine its organisational framework ahead of the general election.

However, Idakwo maintained that the movement enjoyed a cordial relationship with the NDC and its National Leader, Seriake Dickson. He argued that activities carried out by unauthorised individuals had created a misleading impression of a rift between the support group and the party leadership.

He also accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of exploiting the controversy to portray the opposition party as divided and weaken its support base. The APC had not responded to the allegation at the time of the report.

In a move to resolve the disagreement, the NDC subsequently authorised Obi and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, to nominate their preferred leaders for the party’s forthcoming presidential campaign council.

The clarification is expected to ease tensions surrounding the campaign structure, although questions remain about how support groups will coordinate their activities with the party’s official machinery ahead of the 2027 elections.