The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has dissociated itself from a purported Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) announcement attributed to John Ugulu under the name “OK Movement”, declaring that the announcement did not emanate from the party and should be disregarded by the public and the media.
The position was contained in a statement issued by the Office of the National Chairman and electronically signed by Senator Cleopas Moses, National Chairman of the NDC.
The party said it had taken note of the publication announcing the purported campaign council and stressed that the authority to constitute and announce a Presidential Campaign Council rests solely with the party leadership.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the party wishes to state categorically as follows: 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,” the statement said.
The NDC also issued a warning to its candidates and members against presenting themselves as independent political actors, stressing that candidates contesting elections on its platform remain subject to the authority and discipline of the party.
“All candidates of the party must appreciate that they are not running as independent candidates. They are products of the party and remain subject to the authority and discipline of the party. Therefore, only the party’s leadership can constitute and announce a Presidential Campaign Council PCC,” it said.
The party further warned that no member, candidate or support group should take actions capable of undermining or demarketing the NDC.
It directed that, henceforth, no individual or group would be permitted to announce, constitute or publish any campaign council, structure or organ in the name of the NDC without the prior approval of the National Working Committee (NWC).
The party, however, acknowledged the contributions of support groups working in support of its political activities and encouraged them to continue their engagement.
“The party recognizes and deeply appreciates the contributions of all support groups and encourages their continued support. We welcome even more support groups who identify with our mission to rescue Nigeria,” the statement added.
The NDC said it would continue to collaborate with such groups but warned that they must not present themselves as alternative structures or parallel organs of the party.
“While the party will continue to work collaboratively with all support groups, such groups should not see themselves as alternative party structures or parallel organs of the party,” it said.
The party also called for an end to what it described as unnecessary attacks against the NDC, particularly from individuals and groups supporting candidates contesting under its platform.
“We expect a stop to unnecessary attacks against the party on whose platform our candidates are running,” the statement said.
According to the party, members and support groups with grievances should make use of its internal mechanisms rather than taking their disputes into the public space.
“If there are any differences or grievances, support groups and members are advised to refer such matters to the party through appropriate internal channels for resolution rather than resorting to public attacks,” the NDC said.
The statement also announced disciplinary action against Ugulu, citing what the party described as his “affront and excesses during the primary election in Lagos State” and his alleged repeated disregard for the authority of the party.
“For this act of affront and his excesses during the primary election in Lagos State, and for his repeated disregard for party authority, the party is constrained to enforce disciplinary measures against Mr. Ugulu,” the statement said.
The NDC said Ugulu had been referred to the appropriate disciplinary organ of the party for necessary action in accordance with the provisions of its constitution.
The development highlights the party’s effort to assert control over its campaign structures and maintain a clear distinction between officially constituted party organs and independent support groups operating in support of its candidates.
The NDC reiterated that support groups remained welcome but must operate within the boundaries set by the party and should not create structures capable of being mistaken for official organs of the party.
The party said it remained focused on an issue-based campaign and reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing its political agenda.