The Obi-Kwankwaso (OK) Movement, a political platform mobilising support for Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, has rejected any plan to merge the group with another political organisation ahead of the 2027 general election.
The movement, which draws supporters from the Obidient Movement, Kwankwasiyya and the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), also dismissed reports of a plot to remove its Director-General and founder, John Ughulu, insisting that his leadership remains central to its grassroots structure.
The position was contained in a communiqué issued in Abuja at the end of a summit and jointly signed by the Convener, Ladipo Johnson, and National Secretary, Sadaatu Sani.
The group resolved to retain its independence while maintaining its readiness to collaborate with other organisations pursuing similar political objectives.
According to the communiqué, any externally imposed merger or consolidation could disrupt programmes already in progress, weaken the identity of the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement and undermine the grassroots network it has built across the country.
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“The Summit resolves that the Obi-Kwankwaso, OK, Movement shall remain an independent organisation and shall not be merged into, or absorbed by any external political body,” the group stated.
It added that its independence should not be interpreted as unwillingness to cooperate with like-minded organisations.
“Independence does not mean isolation, we remain ready to coordinate closely with allied groups in pursuit of shared goals,” it said.
The Obi-Kwankwaso Movement also threw its weight behind Ughulu, saying his personal involvement had been instrumental in establishing its grassroots structures.
Johnson said the organisation had been built “ward by ward”, largely through Ughulu’s relationship with its volunteers.
“The movement was built ward by ward, largely on the personal credibility of its founder with the volunteers who make up its ranks,” he said.
He warned that any attempt to remove the Director-General or abandon the movement’s independent status could trigger a collapse of its grassroots organisation.
“Our loyalty is not to a title, but to the man who recruited, trained and stood with us,” Johnson said.
He added that members had indicated they would not continue operating under an arrangement that removed Ughulu from the leadership or placed the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement under an externally imposed structure.
Despite the disagreement, the OK Movement extended an olive branch to Jacky Wayas, urging her to return to the organisation.
The group invited Wayas to resume as Director for Strategic Implementation and Planning under the leadership of Ughulu.
The development comes as political alignments and coalition-building efforts gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections, with various opposition and support groups positioning themselves for the emerging political contest.
For the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement, however, its leadership said preserving its grassroots identity and organisational independence would remain paramount as it continues its mobilisation efforts.
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