A fresh disagreement has emerged within the political groups backing Peter Obi’s 2027 presidential ambition. The United Kingdom Coordinator of the OK Movement, Adebayo Brown, accused leaders of the Nigeria Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council and the Obidient Movement of fuelling divisions among supporters.
The accusation followed a disagreement over claims that Obi, the NDC presidential candidate, and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, had dissociated themselves from the OK Movement.
The dispute has drawn reactions from the NDC Presidential Campaign Council and the Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Dr Moses Paul. Both dismissed the controversy as a distraction from the campaign and the task of mobilising voters for Obi.
In a statement made available to The PUNCH, Brown urged Paul to concentrate on rebuilding the group, strengthening its grassroots structures and coordinating supporters rather than engaging in public disagreements with the OK Movement.
He argued that the approaching elections required strategic planning, effective coordination and grassroots mobilisation. He warned that internal disputes could undermine efforts to rally Nigerians behind the opposition’s presidential candidate.
Brown said two appointments had been given to individuals who now appear more interested in political disputes than in the responsibilities of their offices. He named them as the Coordinator of the Obidient Movement and the Director General of the NDC Campaign, Ibrahim Abdulkarim.
He lamented that, rather than concentrating on these critical responsibilities, their attention appeared to be directed at the National Director General of the OK Movement, John Ughulu.
Brown noted that, with only 76 days to the general elections, serious-minded leaders would be expected to be preoccupied with building structures, strengthening grassroots engagement and preparing for the enormous responsibility of electoral mobilisation. Instead, he said, Paul continues to claim that Obi and Kwankwaso have dissociated themselves from the OK Movement.
Brown also challenged Paul to clarify the basis of his claims about the relationship between the two politicians and the movement’s leaders. He argued that the Obidient Movement coordinator does not automatically speak for Obi and cannot unilaterally determine or represent the interests of Obi and Kwankwaso. According to him, such positions should be established through clear and verifiable communication, not personal assertions.
Despite the disagreement, Brown said the OK Movement did not consider either the Obidient Movement or the NDC an enemy. He urged the groups to focus on their shared democratic objectives ahead of the elections.
For the avoidance of doubt, he said, the OK Movement and the Obidient Movement are not enemies, and the OK Movement is not in conflict with the NDC. He said all the groups face a common democratic challenge, and that the priority should be mobilising Nigerians, strengthening political structures and working towards credible elections in 2027.
Brown also defended Ughulu against what he described as attempts to undermine his commitment to the organisation. He said the movement recognises and respects Ughulu’s tenacity, capacity and integrity, noting that he has made significant sacrifices to build the OK Movement into what it is today. He added that Ughulu’s commitment should not be misrepresented as a pursuit of personal gain.
Brown urged Ughulu to ignore the controversy and stay focused on strengthening the OK Movement and contributing to what he described as the defence of Nigeria’s democracy.
However, the spokesperson for the NDC Presidential Campaign Council, Dr Constance Ikokwu, dismissed Brown’s statement as a distraction. She told our correspondent that the campaign was heavily focused on its immediate priorities and did not need unnecessary distractions.
Also reacting, Paul’s media aide, Chidi Iloamaeke, said the Obidient Movement coordinator was not a member of the OK Movement and was focused on his responsibilities within the organisation.
In an exclusive telephone interview with The PUNCH, Iloamaeke said Paul’s position as global coordinator required him to concentrate on the activities of the Obidient Movement and to mobilise support for Obi’s presidential ambition. He said this included delivering the people’s mandate of ensuring that Obi becomes president in 2027.
Iloamaeke urged eligible voters to turn out in large numbers to vote for Obi in the 2027 election.
