The Obi-Kwankwaso Movement, popularly known as the OK Movement, has demanded an apology from the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) over comments by its National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas, on the movement's 59-member Presidential Campaign Council.
The group said it remains an independent political organisation with its own leadership and structure and will not succumb to intimidation.
Its National Secretary, Saadatu Sani, stated this in a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday.
The controversy started after the OK Movement unveiled a campaign council on Thursday to mobilise support for Peter Obi and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso.
The NDC, in a statement by Cleopas on Saturday night, disowned the council, saying it did not emanate from the party and should be disregarded. He warned that no individual, candidate or support group was authorised to constitute or announce a campaign structure in the party's name without approval from the National Working Committee.
In its response, the OK Movement described Cleopas' position as unfortunate, saying it showed a misunderstanding of the movement's independent character.
Sani advised the NDC chairman to familiarise himself with the party's constitution before making pronouncements on the rights of support groups.
"The OK Movement does not engage in such politics. We will not be dragged into a politics of personal insults, intimidation or defamatory exchanges. We will continue to educate rather than abuse. We will continue to defend the principles upon which this movement was established," she said.
"The NDC national chairman is therefore called upon to withdraw the statements considered defamatory and to tender an immediate apology to the OK Movement and to our Director General, Hon. John Ughulu."
Sani said while the movement respects the supremacy of political parties, its support for the NDC does not make it a subordinate organ of the party.
"We will campaign for the presidential and vice-presidential candidates of the party. We will campaign for candidates of the NDC across the country where the movement has resolved to support them. But we do not require the personal validation or approval of any individual before exercising our legitimate organisational functions," she added.
According to her, the movement has built a nationwide grassroots structure with about 2.5 million registered members and coordinators in its database, noting that it is not just a temporary support group for the 2027 elections but a movement with a long-term vision.
She also dismissed allegations against the movement's Director General, Hon. John Ughulu, regarding the Lagos State primary, saying the group would continue to defend its members when their integrity is questioned.
