By Lanre Oloyede
The Obi-Kwankwaso (OK) Movement has urged the leadership of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and the Obidient Movement to stop actions capable of deepening divisions within the political camp of the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The UK Coordinator of the OK Movement, Adebayo Brown, gave the warning on Tuesday, accusing the Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Moses Paul, and the Director-General of the NDC Presidential Campaign Council, Mallam Ibrahim Hussain Abdulkarim, of allowing internal disagreements to distract them from their responsibilities.
The warning comes amid a lingering disagreement between the OK Movement and the NDC leadership over the composition of the movement’s presidential campaign council.
The crisis reportedly began last month when the OK Movement unveiled its campaign council, a development the NDC leadership criticised, insisting that support groups should limit their activities to supporting the party and its candidates rather than performing the functions of a political party.
However, the OK Movement rejected the position, maintaining that it had a mandate to mobilise support for the election of Obi and former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, in 2027.
In a statement titled, “Joblessness, Oblessness and Lack of Leadership Capacity,” Brown urged the NDC campaign leadership and the Obidient Movement coordinator to concentrate on grassroots mobilisation, rebuilding political structures and campaigning for the party’s candidates.
He expressed concern over what he described as repeated attacks on the National Director-General of the OK Movement, Hon. John Ozyl Ughulu, by individuals expected to provide leadership within their respective organisations.
Brown also questioned repeated claims by Paul that Obi and Kwankwaso had distanced themselves from the OK Movement, arguing that such assertions were not helping the party’s electoral preparations.
He said the strength of the OK Movement was rooted in its ideology, principles and core values rather than the endorsement of individuals occupying political positions.
According to him, the Obidient Movement coordinator should focus on rebuilding and restructuring the organisation instead of engaging in unnecessary political disagreements.
“Ordinarily, one would expect people entrusted with such responsibilities to demonstrate a sense of urgency, focusing their energy on organising, mobilising and campaigning for the party’s candidates,” Brown said.
He further defended Ughulu, describing him as a successful businessman and committed advocate of workers’ interests who had invested personal resources, time and energy in building the movement.
Brown maintained that Ughulu’s commitment should not be misrepresented as a pursuit of personal gain, stressing that the organisation was founded on collective interests rather than individual ambitions.
He also argued that the Obidient Movement coordinator could not automatically speak on behalf of Obi or unilaterally determine the political position of the former Anambra governor and Kwankwaso.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the OK Movement and the Obidient Movement are not enemies. Neither is the OK Movement in conflict with the NDC,” he stated.
Brown called on all groups aligned with Obi’s 2027 presidential ambition to put aside their differences and work towards strengthening the party’s structures and mobilising Nigerians for credible elections.
He said the OK Movement had advised Ughulu to remain focused on expanding its grassroots presence despite what he described as distractions and attempts to undermine its leadership.
The UK coordinator insisted that the movement would not be intimidated or distracted by internal disagreements, reaffirming its commitment to justice, equity, fairness and the democratic aspirations of Nigerians.
He added that the priority ahead of the 2027 elections should be unity, strategic planning and effective mobilisation rather than personal disputes among political allies.
