{
  "id": 8720202,
  "title": "OK movement demands apology from NDC, rejects intimidation",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/ok-movement-demands-apology-from-ndc-rejects-intimidation",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-20T16:16:40.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch Nigeria",
    "slug": "punch-nigeria",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/ok-movement-demands-apology-from-ndc-rejects-intimidation/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Obi-Kwankwaso Movement, commonly referred to as the OK Movement, has called for an immediate apology from the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) following statements made by the party's National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas, regarding its recently formed 59-member Presidential Campaign Council. The movement also warned that it would not be intimidated and would retain its independence, emphasizing that it is an autonomous political organization with its own leadership, structure, and internal processes. This stance came after the NDC decided to distance itself from the campaign council unveiled by the OK Movement on Thursday to mobilize support for the party's presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso. The NDC clarified the situation in a statement by Senator Cleopas on Saturday, asserting that the council did not originate from the party and should be disregarded. Cleopas also stated that no individual, candidate, or support group is authorized to establish or announce a campaign structure in the party's name without prior approval from its National Working Committee. The OK Movement's National Secretary, Saadatu Sani, responded to the NDC chairman's position, describing it as unfortunate and indicating that it reflected a misunderstanding of the movement's character and independence. She urged Cleopas to familiarize himself with the NDC constitution before making assertions about the rights and responsibilities of the movement. Sani warned that the OK Movement would not engage in a politics of personal insults, intimidation, or defamatory exchanges, instead choosing to educate rather than abuse. The movement reiterated its commitment to campaigning for the presidential and vice-presidential candidates of the party and NDC candidates it supports across the country, emphasizing that it does not require personal validation or approval from any individual to exercise its legitimate organizational functions.",
  "summary": "The Obi-Kwankwaso Movement has demanded an immediate apology from the NDC over its rejection of the group’s presidential campaign council for Peter Obi. Read More: https://punchng.com/ok-movement-demands-apology-from-ndc-rejects-intimidation/",
  "key_points": [
    "OK Movement demands apology from NDC over campaign council statements.",
    "NDC clarifies council not affiliated, calls OK Movement's stance unfortunate.",
    "OK Movement vows independence, continues campaigning for NDC candidates."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch",
        "title": "OK movement demands apology from NDC, rejects intimidation",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/ok-movement-demands-apology-from-ndc-rejects-intimidation-8721517",
        "published": "2026-09-20T16:22:41.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}