Obi, Kwankwaso supporters reject merger, back Ughulu as DG

The OK Movement, a political platform mobilising support for the Peter Obi-Rabiu Kwankwaso ticket ahead of the 2027 elections, has rejected any plan to merge the group with another political organisation.

The group also opposed reported moves to remove its Director-General and founder, John Ughulu, warning that such a decision could weaken its grassroots structure.

The position was contained in a communiqué issued in Abuja and signed by the Convener, Ladipo Johnson, and National Secretary, Sadaatu Sani, following a summit of the movement.

The OK Movement, which draws members from the Obidient Movement, Kwankwasiyya and the New Nigeria People’s Party, said it would retain its independent status while remaining open to collaboration with organisations pursuing similar political objectives.

It argued that an externally imposed merger or consolidation could disrupt its ongoing programmes and undermine the identity and grassroots network it had developed.

“The Summit resolves that the OK Movement shall remain an independent organisation and shall not be merged into, or absorbed by any external political body,” the communiqué stated.

The group added that maintaining its independence did not prevent it from working with allied organisations where their objectives aligned.

On the leadership dispute, the movement said Ughulu’s continued role as Director-General was crucial because of his contribution to building its grassroots network.

It warned that removing him or abandoning the group’s independent structure could trigger the collapse of the network.

The movement said its structure had been built from the ward level and largely depended on the founder’s relationship with its volunteers.

Meanwhile, the leadership extended an olive branch to Jacky Wayas, inviting her to return to the movement as Director for Strategic Implementation and Planning under Ughulu’s leadership.