OK Movement crisis deepens as National Head of Operations resigns

By Luminous Jannamike

ABUJA — The National Head of Operations of the OK Movement, Hon. Engr. Francis Nnoli, has resigned over what he described as a growing disconnect between the movement and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.

His resignation followed a disagreement over whether the OK Movement should operate independently or align formally with the NDC, which is the platform on which Peter Gregory Obi and Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso are pursuing their joint 2027 presidential bid.

In a statement by Nnoli on Sunday, he said his decision was driven by the need for political discipline, structural clarity and coordination between support groups, candidates and the party.

“Every support structure established around a political ticket must operate with a clear understanding of its relationship with the political party, its candidates and the broader political mandate it seeks to advance,” Nnoli said.

The development follows a position attributed to the movement’s Director-General, John Ugulu, that the OK Movement is an independent organisation with no formal relationship with the NDC and does not require the party’s endorsement or directives.

The NDC has also dissociated itself from the Presidential Campaign Council announced under Ugulu’s name, saying only the appropriate party leadership has the authority to constitute and announce such a council.

Nnoli said the disagreement made it necessary for him to step aside rather than remain in a structure whose direction he could no longer serve with full confidence.

“Where a movement exists primarily to mobilise support for candidates contesting an election under the platform of a political party, questions of coordination, authorisation, communication and institutional responsibility cannot simply be dismissed,” he said.

He, however, stressed that his resignation was not a rejection of the Obi-Kwankwaso project, reaffirming his commitment to its broader political objective and urging supporters to avoid parallel structures and statements capable of creating confusion.

“The 2027 election will require more than slogans and organisational titles. It will require coordination, credibility, discipline, strategic thinking and a clear understanding of how political movements and political parties must work together,” Nnoli said.

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