By Opeyemi Adelakun
Fresh divisions have surfaced within the OK Movement, a political support group established to mobilise support for the joint presidential ambition of Nigeria Democratic Congress candidate Peter Obi and former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, as rival factions battle for control of the organisation ahead of the 2027 general election.
The dispute intensified after the movement announced the appointment of former Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council, Peter Ameh, as its National Director-General.
In a statement, Jackie Wayas, who described herself as the National Convener of the movement, said the appointment was approved by the group’s steering committee in recognition of Ameh’s political experience and commitment to its objectives.
The announcement, however, immediately triggered controversy, with several members questioning Wayas’ authority to identify herself as the movement’s national convener.
Repeated attempts to obtain clarification from Wayas on when and how she assumed the position were unsuccessful, as telephone calls and messages sent to her were not returned as of the time this report was filed.
The disagreement soon exposed a broader leadership struggle within the organisation.
The immediate past National Publicity Secretary of the movement, Justin Ijeh, acknowledged the existence of internal disagreements but urged members to resolve them away from public scrutiny.
“There’s a reason I have not spoken up on this issue. I believe some things should be resolved behind the scenes. The primary target for me is that we must achieve our aim at the polls,” he said.
According to Ijeh, differences are inevitable in political organisations, but allowing them to play out publicly could damage the movement’s larger political objective.
He disclosed that he had stepped aside as spokesman pending the resolution of the dispute, noting that competing claims to the office of Director-General had complicated matters.
“I have told all parties that I cannot be the spokesperson anymore until they resolve issues. Tell me, when two persons declared themselves DG of an organisation, what do you do?” he asked.
Ijeh also confirmed that Wayas was a recognised member of the movement.
The group’s Director-General, John Ughulu, rejected Ijeh’s position, insisting the former spokesman had long been removed from office.
“No, Justin has been sacked long ago. He belongs to the other group. I had relieved all of them of their responsibility for us to move forward,” Ughulu said.
He accused the rival faction of attempting to seize control of the movement and maintained that its vision extended beyond the 2027 elections.
Ughulu explained that the OK Movement was conceived as a coalition platform capable of bringing together supporters of Obi and Kwankwaso without requiring them to abandon their existing political affiliations.
He further claimed that the arrangement was intended to remain active beyond the next election cycle.
“There was an initial agreement between the two candidates, Obi and Kwankwaso, that this OK Movement would not be relinquished,” he alleged.
Ughulu also claimed Obi appealed to him not to publicly discuss the internal disagreement.
“So when this latest internal conflict came up, Obi pleaded with me. He said, John, please, I beg you. Do not go to press. Do not say anything,” he said.
He defended his decision to separate the leadership structures of the Obidient Movement and the OK Movement, arguing that combining both organisations would create unnecessary conflicts.
According to him, the movement was established to broaden Obi’s support base beyond members of the Obidient Movement.
“There are people who so much love and want to support Peter Obi who are not Obidient members. If we decide to stick only to that, other associations and political parties will not want to associate with you,” he said.
Ughulu also justified his decision to remove Ijeh from office, accusing him of promoting partisan interests rather than the objectives of the movement.
He further disclosed that he had fallen out with Wayas over disagreements relating to the management of funds and the operation of the organisation.
According to him, he opposed accepting donations from questionable sources and instead proposed raising funds through small public contributions.
Meanwhile, fresh controversy emerged after reports circulated on social media alleging that Obi had removed the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, Dr Yunusa Tanko, over alleged financial misconduct.
Tanko dismissed the claim as false.
“No, it is not true. It is somebody out there just flying a kite,” he said, adding that he was neither a signatory to the movement’s account nor responsible for its finances.
He also denied reports of a rift between the Obidient Movement and the OK Movement.
“There is really no tension between us. We are just trying to work together. That’s all,” Tanko said.
Obi’s media office also rejected the reports, describing them as deliberate attempts to sow division within the movement.
In a statement signed by his media aide, Idris Zekeri, the office accused unnamed political opponents of spreading falsehoods aimed at creating disunity among Obi’s supporters.
“The Peter Obi Media Office acknowledges recent, coordinated efforts by political adversaries and disruptive individuals to create division, misrepresent our leader’s objectives, and foster artificial rifts within our movement dedicated to improving Nigeria,” the statement said.
It specifically dismissed reports alleging that Tanko had been removed as National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement.
Adding another perspective, former spokesman of the New Nigeria People’s Party, Ladipo Johnson, admitted there were disagreements within the OK Movement but insisted they would not derail preparations for the 2027 elections.
Speaking on Arise Television, Johnson described the dispute as a distraction rather than a fundamental threat to the coalition.
He disclosed that Obi had been briefed on the situation and was dissatisfied with the public nature of the disagreement.
“I saw the presidential candidate last night along with the DG. He’s not happy about the whole situation,” Johnson said.
The leadership dispute comes as opposition political groups continue consultations aimed at building a stronger alliance ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Although leaders of both the Obidient Movement and the OK Movement insist the disagreements are internal and can be resolved, the competing leadership claims and public exchange of accusations have raised questions about cohesion within one of the support platforms expected to play a key role in opposition mobilisation before the polls.
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