The leadership of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has firmly dissociated itself from a 59-member presidential campaign council announced by the OK Movement, a support group backing the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso.
The OK Movement unveiled the council on Thursday. The body included zonal and state coordinators as well as directors responsible for mobilisation, women’s affairs, strategy, security, legal matters and other key areas.
In a statement issued on Saturday, NDC National Chairman Cleopas Moses declared that the list did not originate from the party and should be disregarded by the public and the media.
“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 stated.
He emphasised that the NDC played no role in constituting the council and stressed that all party candidates remain under the authority and discipline of the NDC.
“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.
Moses issued a clear directive that 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).
While acknowledging the contributions of support groups, the chairman cautioned them against operating as parallel or alternative party structures.
“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 noted.
Moses further urged members, candidates and support groups to channel any grievances through the party’s internal mechanisms rather than resorting to public attacks.