The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has disowned the 59-member Presidential Campaign Council unveiled by the Obi-Kwankwaso (OK) Movement for the 2027 election, declaring the structure unauthorised and directing the public and media to disregard it.
The party’s National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas, stated this in a statement issued on Sunday, September 20, 2026, warning that no individual, candidate or support group could constitute or announce a campaign structure in the name of the NDC without approval from the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).
The development followed the unveiling on Thursday of the 59-member council by the OK Movement, a support group backing the joint presidential ticket of NDC candidate Peter Obi and his running mate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. The structure includes zonal and state coordinators as well as directors overseeing mobilisation, women affairs, strategy, security, legal affairs and other areas.
John Ughulu, Director-General of the OK Movement, was named Director-General of the campaign council, while the movement’s National Secretary, Saadatu Sani, was listed as secretary.
Cleopas, however, said the campaign council did not originate from the NDC and therefore had no authority to operate as the party’s official presidential campaign structure.
“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 chairman stressed that all candidates contesting under the party’s platform remained subject to its authority and discipline and could not operate as independent candidates.
“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,” Cleopas said.
“Therefore, only the party’s leadership can constitute and announce a Presidential Campaign Council.”
He further warned that no individual or group should announce or publish any campaign council, structure or organ in the party’s name without prior approval from the 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),” he said.
Despite rejecting the council, Cleopas acknowledged the contributions of support groups to the party’s political activities and encouraged them to continue working with the NDC.
He, however, 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,” he said.
The NDC chairman also urged members and support groups with grievances to use the party’s internal mechanisms rather than resorting to public attacks or confrontations.
Cleopas further disclosed that Ughulu had been referred to the appropriate disciplinary organ of the party over what he described as his “excesses” during the party’s primary election in Lagos State and repeated disregard for the authority of the party.
He said the disciplinary process would be conducted in accordance with the provisions of the NDC constitution.
The chairman said the NDC remained focused on its issue-based campaign and its commitment to delivering what he described as a “New Nigeria that is possible.”
