The Obi-Kwankwaso (OK) Movement has rejected moves to remove its founder and CEO, Mr John Ughulu, from office, insisting that he remains the leader of the grassroots support organisation.
The Movement also ruled out any merger or absorption into the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) or any other external political organisation, saying its independence was essential to preserve its identity and grassroots structure.
The resolution is contained in a statement issued at the end of the OK Movement National Leadership Summit held on Wednesday, August 26, 2026 at the K-Class Hotel, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja, and signed on behalf of the National Leadership by the Coordinator, Barr. Oladipo Johnson; the Deputy Director General (North), Prince Suleiman Abubakar; Deputy Director General (South), Ms. Oluwatoyin Lanihun; and the National Secretary, Saadatu Mohammed Sani.
The summit brought together national leaders, six zonal geopolitical coordinators, 37 state coordinators as well as local governments and district level mobilizers from the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory.
According to the statement, the National Congress of the Movement deliberated extensively on these issues before unanimously affirming Ughulu as founder and director general.
The leadership said its decision was based on the role Ughulu played in building the organization from the grassroots.
“The Movement was built neighborhood after neighborhood, largely thanks to the personal credibility of its founder among the volunteers who make up its ranks,” the statement states.
He added that the loyalty of the movement’s rank-and-file members “was not to a title, but to the man who recruited them, trained them and supported them.”
Leaders argued that while administrative structures and social media platforms could be changed, the trust built among thousands of grassroots mobilizers could not be easily transferred to another leader.
“The strength of any political movement lies in its human structure on the ground, and that structure was formed around its leadership,” he said.
The OK Movement also decided to remain an independent organization, rejecting proposals to merge or absorb it into an external political body.
Leadership said such a move could disrupt programs already underway, weaken the identity recognized by its supporters and undermine momentum built over time.
However, he stressed that maintaining independence would not prevent cooperation with allied political groups in the pursuit of common objectives.
“Independence does not mean isolation: we remain willing to coordinate closely with allied groups in pursuit of shared objectives,” the statement states.
In another resolution, the Movement invited Ms. Jacky Wayas to return to the organization and resume her former position as Director of Strategic Planning and Implementation.
The leadership said the invitation was part of efforts to promote unity within the organization and recognized Wayas’ contributions to the Movement.
“We would appreciate your renewed participation,” it said, adding that it would work under the leadership of the Director-General.
The summit also approved the appointment of Prince Suleiman Abubakar as Deputy Director General (North), following the resignation of the Ambassador. Muhammad Auwal Musa.
The Movement expressed its gratitude to Auwal Musa for his service and wished him well, while welcoming Abubakar to the new position.
However, the leaders issued what they described as a candid assessment of the possible consequences of removing Ughulu or abandoning the Movement’s independence.
He said state, local and district leaders had told the summit that they would not continue to operate under an agreement that removed the CEO or compromised the organization’s independence.
“We are not saying this to apply pressure,” the statement states. “We say this because Nigerians deserve an accurate picture of what would be available and what would not be available on the ground.”
After the summit, the national leaders visited the former governor of Kano State and former presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, at his residence to formally inform him of the outcome of the deliberations and reaffirm the unity of the Movement.
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The leaders also visited Alhaji Buba Galadima, head of the Movement’s Advisory Council.
According to the statement, Galadima reaffirmed the importance of unity within the OK Movement and encouraged it to remain an independent support group.
He also warned against any proposal to merge the Movement with the NDC, regardless of how such proposal is presented in the name of administrative efficiency.
The leaders said they remained committed to the vision of a better Nigeria and called for the collective decision of their grassroots members to be respected.
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