File: Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso

The OK Movement, a political platform established to mobilise support for the joint ticket of the Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and his running mate, Dr Rabiu Kwankwaso, on Friday ruled out any merger with an external political organisation ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The group, which is a blend of supporters drawn from the Obidient Movement and Kwankwasiyya, also rejected the rumoured plot to remove its Director-General and founder, John Ughulu, insisting that its grassroots structure was built around his leadership.

The resolutions were contained in a communiqué issued in Abuja and jointly signed by the Convener, Ladipo Johnson, and National Secretary, Sadaatu Sani, at the national leadership summit in Abuja.

The summit was attended by national leaders, coordinators, state coordinators, as well as local government and ward-level mobilisers from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

Johnson explained that they had resolved to remain an independent organisation while retaining their willingness to work with other groups with similar objectives.

The Lagos Central senatorial candidate for the NDC also explained that any externally imposed consolidation could disrupt programmes already underway and undermine the identity and grassroots momentum built by the movement.

“The Summit resolves that the OK Movement shall remain an independent organisation and shall not be merged into or absorbed by any external political body.

“Independence does not mean isolation: we remain ready to coordinate closely with allied groups in pursuit of shared goals,” the communiqué stated.

The development comes amid ongoing political realignments ahead of the 2027 elections, with opposition figures and political groups exploring possible alliances, coalitions and mergers in a bid to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress.

But the OK Movement convener insisted that the decision to retain Ughulu was hinged on the role he played in building the organisation’s grassroots structure.

The group also warned that removing the Director-General or abandoning its independent status could lead to the collapse of its grassroots structure.

“The Movement was built ward by ward, largely on the personal credibility of its founder with the volunteers who make up its ranks.

“Our loyalty is not to a title, but to the man who recruited, trained and stood with us.

“Should the Director-General be removed, or the Movement’s independence set aside, they have indicated that they would not continue to operate under the resulting arrangement,” Johnson stated.

The leadership, however, sought reconciliation with Ms Jacky Wayas, inviting her to return to the movement as Director for Strategic Implementation and Planning under the leadership of the Director-General.

The summit also appointed Prince Suleiman Abubakar as Deputy Director-General (North), following the resignation of Amb. Muhammad Auwal Musa.

After the summit, the OK Movement leadership visited Kwankwaso at his Abuja residence to brief him on the outcome of the summit.

“We also visited Alhaji Buba Galadima, the head of the movement’s Advisory Council, who reaffirmed the importance of unity within the movement and encouraged us to retain its independence.

“Galadima also cautioned against any proposal to merge the organisation into the NDC party, irrespective of arguments that such a merger would improve efficiency.

“We hold the vision of a better Nigeria in the highest esteem and remain fully committed to that cause. We ask only that the collective will of the grassroots, freely expressed, be respected,” the communiqué stated.

The summit comes barely one month after The PUNCH reported fresh cracks within the ranks of the movement, following a bitter leadership tussle that triggered accusations, counter-accusations and competing claims to the group’s leadership.