By Divine Sam

The Obi-Kwankwaso (OK) Movement has questioned the preparedness of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2027 general elections, challenging the party to demonstrate the grassroots strength and campaign machinery needed to compete in a nationwide poll.

The movement’s Director-General, John Ughulu, raised the concerns on Monday in a statement issued to journalists in Abuja, a day after the NDC unveiled its National Campaign Council ahead of its planned inauguration in the Federal Capital Territory.

Ughulu faulted the timing of the announcement, arguing that the party had taken too long to establish its campaign team and had yet to demonstrate the organisational strength required to mobilise voters across the country.

He also claimed that the OK Movement had built a stronger grassroots network and predicted that some members of the newly announced council might eventually turn to the movement for support and mobilisation.

“The funny part of this list is that 90 per cent of the people on it will still come knocking on the doors of the OK Movement to beg for the very structure they have failed to build themselves!” he said.

The OK Movement chief further questioned what the NDC had been doing before announcing its campaign council, insisting that a serious electoral campaign required more than appointing prominent individuals to leadership positions.

“With less than three months to the general elections, they are only just announcing their Presidential Campaign Council. What exactly have they been doing all this time? Where is the structure? Where is the strategy? Where is the machinery required to prosecute a serious national election?” he asked.

The criticism comes amid growing disagreements between the NDC and the OK Movement over the movement’s organisational independence and its place in the campaign for the party’s presidential ticket, featuring Peter Obi and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso.

On Sunday, the NDC announced its National Campaign Council, appointing the party’s National Leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, as chairman, while Obi was named co-chairman.

The party’s National Chairman, Senator Cleopas Moses Zuwoghe, was appointed vice-chairman, with Kwankwaso named co-vice-chairman.

The dispute highlights questions surrounding campaign coordination, grassroots mobilisation and the relationship between the NDC and the OK Movement as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 elections.