By Chibuike Nwabuko
ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has dissociated itself from a purported Presidential Campaign Council announced under the name of the “OK Movement”, declaring that only the party’s leadership has the authority to constitute and announce its campaign council.
The party made its position known in a statement released on Saturday and signed by its National Chairman, Senator Cleopas Moses.
The NDC said the announcement credited to one John Ugulu did not emanate from the party and urged the public and media to disregard it.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the party wishes to state categorically that the party hereby dissociates itself in totality from the said OK Movement PCC announcement,” the statement said.
The party warned that its candidates were not independent candidates but were products of the party and therefore remained subject to its authority and discipline.
According to the NDC, only the party leadership can constitute and announce a Presidential Campaign Council. It further directed that no individual or group should announce, constitute or publish any campaign council, structure or organ in the name of the party without prior approval from the National Working Committee (NWC).
The party, however, acknowledged the contributions of support groups to its political activities, saying it welcomed additional groups that identified with its mission.
While expressing willingness to continue working with support groups, the NDC cautioned them against presenting themselves as alternative party structures or parallel organs.
The party also urged members and support groups with grievances to use internal channels to resolve their differences rather than engaging in public attacks against the party.
The NDC said it had consequently referred Ugulu to the appropriate disciplinary organ of the party over what it described as “this act of affront” and his alleged excesses during the party’s primary election in Lagos State, as well as his alleged repeated disregard for party authority.
“The party remains focused on its issue-based campaign and is committed to delivering a New Nigeria that is POssible,” the statement added.
