The Obi-Kwankwaso Movement, popularly known as the OK Movement, has rejected the Nigeria Democratic Congress’ (NDC) directive disowning its 59-member Presidential Campaign Council, insisting that the structure remains intact.

The development has deepened the disagreement between the support group and the NDC after the party distanced itself from the council and its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, said he did not approve its formation.

In a statement on Friday, the National Director-General of the OK Movement, John Ughulu, said the council remained valid and operational, stressing that the movement had its own leadership, principles and organisational structure.

Ughulu was reacting to the position of the NDC National Chairman, Cleopas Moses, who had earlier disowned the campaign council and urged the public and media to disregard it.

“The OK Movement wishes to reaffirm, unequivocally, that its position remains unchanged.

“The Presidential Campaign Council structure already constituted and announced by the OK Movement remains valid and operational, irrespective of the position or opinion of any individual leader of the party or presidential candidate,” Ughulu said.

He maintained that the OK Movement did not require approval from the NDC leadership or any individual party official to determine how the movement was run.

According to him, the movement has its own leaders, principles and structure, adding that it does not need NDC National Leader, Seriake Dickson, or any other party official to approve its affairs.

The position came despite Obi’s public rejection of the campaign council.

Obi, who is the NDC’s presidential candidate for the 2027 election, had on Thursday said the OK Movement and other organisations supporting his ticket with Rabiu Kwankwaso should operate as support groups rather than establish structures performing the functions of the political party.

Speaking on Arise Television’s Prime Time, Obi said he agreed with Dickson’s position on the matter.

“First is that the NDC is a political party we all belong to and I agree entirely with the position of the leader.

“OK Movement — Obidient group, Kwankwasiyya and other supporting groups are supporting groups. They must play their roles as supporting groups supporting the party. They should not play the role of a party.

“We have a situation where one of the supporting groups is using the nomenclature or forming presidential campaign council. It shouldn’t be,” Obi said.

Asked whether he was informed before the OK Movement constituted its campaign council, Obi said he was not aware of the decision.

He further stated that any action taken in the name of the OK Movement must have the approval of both himself and his running mate, Kwankwaso.

“Your OK Movement is Obi and Kwankwaso. So, whatever you do must have the express approval of both of us,” he said.