A rift has opened in the Obi/Kwankwaso (OK) Movement after grassroots leaders rejected plans to remove founder John Ughulu as Director-General and to merge the group with the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
At a National Leadership Summit in Abuja, state, local government and ward leaders from across the country said replacing Ughulu would weaken the volunteer network. They also opposed any merger, saying it would erode the movement’s identity and structure.
Leaders warned they would not continue under an arrangement that ousts Ughulu or surrenders the group’s independence. “We would rather resolve matters of this nature together now than see a capable structure dissolve avoidably,” they said.
The summit invited Jacky Wayas back as Director for Strategic Implementation and Planning under the DG, and named Prince Suleiman Abubakar Deputy Director-General (North), replacing Amb. Muhammad Auwal Musa, who resigned.
Afterward, national leaders briefed Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso and Advisory Council head Alhaji Buba Galadima. Galadima urged the group to stay united and independent and cautioned against a merger with the NDC.
The movement said it remains committed to mobilising support for Peter Obi and Kwankwaso but insisted the grassroots position must be respected.