The Obi/Kwankwaso (OK) Movement has rejected any proposal to merge the organisation with the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), insisting that it will retain its independence as a grassroots support group.
The movement also reaffirmed its founder, Mr. John Ughulu, as its Director-General, saying his removal could lead to the collapse of its grassroots structure.
These were among the resolutions reached at the National Leadership Summit of the movement held on Wednesday in Abuja.
The summit, attended by national leaders, the six geopolitical zonal coordinators, state coordinators and local government and ward mobilisers from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, said the decisions were taken unanimously.
In a communiqué signed by the Convener, Oladipo Johnson; Deputy Director-General (North), Prince Suleiman Abubakar; Deputy Director-General (South), Mrs. Oluwatoyin Lanihun; and National Secretary, Saadatu Mohammed Sani, the movement said Ughulu’s leadership remained central to its grassroots mobilisation.
The leaders said the movement was ‘built ward by ward’ largely on the personal credibility of its founder, adding that the loyalty of its volunteers was to the leadership that recruited and trained them.
‘The strength of any political movement rests in its human structure on the ground, and that structure was assembled around his leadership,’ the communiqué said.
The summit consequently ‘respectfully declined’ any proposal for Ughulu’s replacement.
It also resolved that the movement would neither merge with nor be absorbed into any external political organisation.
According to the communiqué, such a merger could disrupt programmes already underway, weaken the identity recognised by supporters and undermine the momentum built by the organisation.
It, however, stressed that maintaining independence did not amount to isolation, saying the OK Movement remained willing to work with allied groups in pursuit of common objectives.
The summit also extended an invitation to Ms. Jacky Wayas to return to the movement as Director for Strategic Implementation and Planning.
The leaders said Wayas’ contributions remained valued and expressed readiness to welcome her back ‘in her original office,’ working under the leadership of the Director-General.
The summit further approved the appointment of Prince Suleiman Abubakar as Deputy Director-General (North), following the resignation of Ambassador Muhammad Auwal Musa from the position.
The movement thanked Auwal Musa for his service and wished him well in his future endeavours.
The communiqué also contained a warning on the possible consequences of removing the Director-General or abandoning the movement’s independence.
It said state, local government and ward leaders had informed the summit that they would not continue to operate under any arrangement resulting from the removal of Ughulu or the surrender of the movement’s independence.
‘We do not say this to apply pressure,’ the leaders said, explaining that the position was stated to give the public an accurate picture of the grassroots structure that would remain available to the movement.
The leadership said it preferred to resolve the disagreement internally rather than allow ‘a capable structure’ to dissolve.
Following the summit, the national leadership visited former Kano State governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, at his residence to brief him on the unity of the movement and the outcome of its deliberations.
The delegation also visited Alhaji Buba Galadima, head of the movement’s Advisory Council.
According to the communiqué, Galadima reaffirmed the importance of unity within the OK Movement and encouraged it to remain an independent support group.
He also cautioned against any proposal to merge the movement into the NDC, irrespective of how such a proposal might be presented in the name of efficiency.
The leaders said the movement remained committed to its objective of mobilising ordinary Nigerians behind the vision of a better Nigeria.
‘We ask only that the collective will of the grassroots, freely expressed, be respected,’ they said.