The Obi-Kwankwaso (OK) Movement has rejected moves to remove its founder and Director-General, Mr John Ughulu, from office, insisting that he remains the leader of the grassroots support organisation.

The Movement also ruled out any merger or absorption into the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) or any other external political organisation, saying its independence was essential to preserving its identity and grassroots structure.

The resolution is contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the National Leadership Summit of the OK Movement held on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, at K-Class Hotel, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja, and signed on behalf of the National Leadership by the Convener, Barr. Oladipo Johnson; Deputy Director-General (North), Prince Suleiman Abubakar; Deputy Director-General (South), Mrs Oluwatoyin Lanihun; and National Secretary, Saadatu Mohammed Sani.

The summit brought together national leaders, six geopolitical zonal coordinators, 37 state coordinators, as well as local government and ward-level mobilisers from the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory.

According to the communiqué, the National Congress of the Movement deliberated extensively on the issues before unanimously affirming Ughulu as founder and Director-General.

The leadership said its decision was based on the role Ughulu played in building the organisation from the grassroots.

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

It added that the loyalty of the movement’s grassroots members was “not to a title, but to the man who recruited, trained and stood with them.”

The leadership argued that while administrative structures and social media platforms could be changed, the confidence built among thousands of grassroots mobilisers could not easily be transferred to another leader.

“The strength of any political movement rests in its human structure on the ground, and that structure was assembled around his leadership,” it said.

The OK Movement also resolved to remain an independent organisation, rejecting proposals to merge it with or absorb it into an external political body.

The leadership said such a move could disrupt programmes already underway, weaken the identity recognised by its supporters and undermine the momentum built over time.

It, however, stressed that maintaining independence would not prevent cooperation with allied political groups in pursuit of common objectives.

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

In another resolution, the Movement extended an invitation to Ms Jacky Wayas to return to the organisation and resume her former position as Director for Strategic Implementation and Planning.

The leadership said the invitation was part of efforts to promote unity within the organisation and acknowledged Wayas’ contributions to the Movement.

“We would welcome her renewed participation,” it said, adding that she would work within the leadership of the Director-General.

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

The Movement expressed appreciation to Auwal Musa for his service and wished him well, while welcoming Abubakar to the new position.

The leadership, however, issued what it described as a candid assessment of the potential consequences of removing Ughulu or abandoning the Movement’s independence.

It said state, local government and ward leaders had communicated to the summit that they would not continue operating under an arrangement that removed the Director-General or compromised the organisation’s independence.

“We do not say this to apply pressure,” the communiqué stated. “We say it because Nigerians deserve an accurate picture of what would, and would not, remain available on the ground.”

Following the summit, the National Leadership visited former Kano State Governor and former presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, at his residence to formally brief him on the outcome of the deliberations and reaffirm the unity of the Movement.

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The leadership also visited Alhaji Buba Galadima, Head of the Movement’s Advisory Council.

According to the communiqué, Galadima reaffirmed the importance of unity within the OK Movement and encouraged it to remain an independent support group.

He also cautioned against any proposal to merge the Movement into the NDC, irrespective of how such a proposal might be presented in the name of administrative efficiency.

The leadership said it remained committed to the vision of a better Nigeria and called for the collective decision of its grassroots members to be respected.