Power struggle erupts in Obi-Kwankwaso movement

A leadership crisis has erupted within the OK Movement, a political support platform backing the proposed presidential ticket of Peter Obi and former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, with rival factions laying claim to the group’s leadership.

The dispute intensified after Jackie Wayas, who identified herself as the movement’s National Convener, announced the appointment of former Inter-Party Advisory Council Chairman, Peter Ameh, as National Director-General following what she described as a meeting of the steering committee.

The announcement was immediately challenged by members of the movement, who questioned Wayas’ authority to make the appointment and describe herself as the group’s national convener.

As the controversy deepened, the movement’s immediate past National Publicity Secretary, Justin Ijeh, acknowledged the existence of internal disagreements but urged members to resolve the matter privately to avoid undermining the coalition’s political objectives.

According to him, the disagreement revolves around the leadership structure of the organisation, including competing claims to the office of Director-General.

“I have stepped aside as spokesman until these issues are resolved. When two people claim to be Director-General of the same organisation, it becomes difficult to speak for the movement,” Ijeh said.

However, the movement’s recognised Director-General, John Ughulu, dismissed Ijeh’s comments, insisting the former spokesman had long been removed from office.

Ughulu accused a rival faction of attempting to hijack the organisation, maintaining that those challenging his leadership no longer represented the movement.

He said the OK Movement was established as a long-term political platform designed to unite supporters of Obi and Kwankwaso without replacing existing support groups such as the Obidient Movement and the Kwankwasiyya Movement.

According to Ughulu, the platform was conceived to broaden Obi’s political appeal by attracting supporters outside the traditional Obidient base.

He also defended his decision to remove Ijeh and distance Jackie Wayas from the movement, alleging that internal disagreements over the management of the organisation and funding contributed to the fallout.

The leadership dispute coincided with social media reports alleging that Peter Obi had removed the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, Dr Yunusa Tanko, over alleged financial misconduct.

Tanko dismissed the reports as false, insisting he remained in office and had no involvement in the movement’s finances.

“There is no crisis. We are working together as a team,” he said.

Peter Obi’s Media Office also rejected the reports, describing them as a deliberate attempt by political opponents to create division within the opposition.

In a statement signed by Obi’s media aide, Idris Zekeri, the office urged supporters to disregard what it described as fabricated claims, including reports of Tanko’s removal.

Former New Nigeria Peoples Party spokesman, Ladipo Johnson, also acknowledged the disagreement within the OK Movement but described it as a temporary distraction rather than a threat to the opposition’s preparations for the 2027 elections.

Johnson disclosed that Obi had been briefed on the situation and was unhappy with the public disagreements.

The crisis comes as opposition groups continue consultations to build a united political front ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with the OK Movement expected to play a key role in mobilising support for the proposed Obi-Kwankwaso alliance.