The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has dissociated itself from the Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) constituted on Thursday by Obi-Kwankwaso (OK) Movement
The party, in a statement signed by its National Chairman, Sen Moses Cleopas, described the announcement as unauthorised and urged the public and media to disregard it.
On Thursday, the movement had unveiled a 59-member presidential campaign council ahead of the 2027 general elections
John Ugulu was named as the Director-General of the movement, with Saadatu Sani, listed as National Secretary
It equally has zonal and state coordinators as well as directors for mobilisation, women affairs, strategy, security, legal affairs and other key areas
Cleopas, in a statement, on Sunday, however, said that the purported campaign council should be disregarded
According to him, all candidates are contesting elections on the platform of NDC and are therefore subject to its authority and discipline, rather than operating as independent candidates
The NDC chairman said that only the party leadership had the authority to constitute and announce its presidential campaign council
He added that no individual, candidate or support group was authorised to create or publish campaign structures in the party’s name without approval from the National Working Committee (NWC)
Cleopas, however, acknowledged the contributions of support groups and encouraged their continued support for its political objectives
He said such groups could collaborate with the party but should not regard themselves as alternative structures or parallel organs of the NDC
He also urged members and support groups with grievances to use the party’s internal channels for resolution rather than engaging in public attacks against the party
The national chairman said Ughulu had been referred to the appropriate disciplinary organ of the party over what he described as his “excesses” during the party’s primary election in Lagos and repeated disregard for party authority
He said the disciplinary process would be conducted in line with the provisions of the party’s constitution
Cleopas said NDP remained focused on its issue-based campaign and commitment to delivering what he described as a ‘New Nigeria that is possible’ (NAN)