A rift has emerged within the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as the party’s national leadership formally disowned a 59-member presidential campaign council recently unveiled by the OK Movement—a prominent support group backing the NDC’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso.

 

The drama unfolded following the OK Movement’s announcement on Thursday, where it unveiled a widespread campaign committee complete with zonal and state coordinators, as well as directors for mobilization, strategy, security, legal affairs, and women’s affairs.

 

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### "Disregard the List" — NDC Leadership Speaks Out

 

In a decisive statement issued on Saturday, NDC National Chairman **Cleopas Moses** made it clear that the party had zero involvement in setting up the campaign council and instructed the media and general public to completely disregard the announcement.

 

> *"The party hereby dissociates itself in totality from the said OK Movement PCC announcement. It did not emanate from the party and should be disregarded by the public and the media,"* Moses declared.

 

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### "No Independent Candidates": Party Rules Apply

 

Emphasizing party supremacy, Moses reminded the presidential ticket and their supporters that political candidates operate under the authority and discipline of the party structure, not as independent actors.

 

Key takeaways from the NDC chairman's warning include:

 

* **Sole Authority:** Only the National Working Committee (NWC) and the party's central leadership hold the constitutional authority to form and officially publish a Presidential Campaign Council.

* **No Parallel Organs:** While the party values the energy of voluntary support groups, they must operate under party oversight and cannot function as alternative or parallel structures.

* **Prior Approval Required:** Moving forward, no individual or group is authorized to announce campaign organs or publish leadership structures in the party’s name without prior NWC clearance.

 

Moses concluded by urging all support groups and party members to channel any grievances or operational plans through the NDC's established internal mechanisms rather than resorting to public announcements and media friction.