John Ughulu, the National Director-General of the Obidient-Kwankwaso Movement, has publicly criticized the Nigeria Democratic Congress for its delayed preparations for the 2027 general elections. Speaking to Punch, Ughulu stated that the movement would not cease its critique of the party simply because it supports the NDC presidential ticket. He argued that the recent unveiling of the NDC’s Presidential Campaign Council occurred too late to ensure a competitive campaign against the incumbent government.
Ughulu emphasized that the timing of the council's inauguration was a critical strategic failure. He noted that the Independent National Electoral Commission had already moved the election timetable forward, a development the NDC leadership should have anticipated. According to Ughulu, the party needed to initiate its electoral strategy and structure building long before the current date. He asserted that "We cannot afford to be reactive or constantly play catch-up," insisting that the party must dictate the terms of engagement rather than responding to opposition moves.
The Director-General explained that the OK Movement’s criticism stems from a desire to ensure the success of the collective political project. He clarified that the group does not view its stance as an attack on the party or its leadership. Instead, Ughulu described the feedback as a necessary intervention to correct weaknesses before they become costly mistakes. He maintained that "This is not about attacking the party or undermining its leadership," but rather about demanding the competence and urgency required to win a high-stakes election.
Ughulu also addressed the composition of the campaign council, suggesting that many appointees might still require the grassroots mobilization structures built by the OK Movement. He argued that political prominence does not automatically translate to electoral capacity. The movement, founded in August 2025 after consultations with former President Olusegun Obasanjo, focuses on ideological clarity and organizational strength. Ughulu insisted that loyalty to the party does not require silence in the face of poor performance or strategic missteps.
Despite the criticism, Ughulu affirmed that the OK Movement remains fully committed to supporting the NDC ticket led by Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso. He distinguished between party supremacy and the movement’s independent right to organize and voice concerns. The group plans to continue mobilizing voters and defending the candidates' mandate, provided the party leadership addresses the identified structural and strategic gaps in its campaign planning.