The leadership of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has distanced itself from a 59-member Presidential Campaign Council announced by the OK Movement, a support group backing the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso.

Naija News reports that the OK Movement on Thursday unveiled the 59-member committee, comprising zonal and state coordinators, as well as directors responsible for mobilisation, women’s affairs, strategy, security, legal affairs and other areas.

However, NDC National Chairman, Cleopas Moses, in a statement issued on Saturday, said the list did not emanate from the party and should be disregarded by members of the public and the media.

Moses said the NDC was not involved in the constitution of the campaign council.

“The party hereby dissociates itself in totality from the said OK Movement PCC announcement. It did not emanate from the party and should be disregarded by the public and the media,” he said.

The national chairman stressed that the party’s candidates were subject to the authority and discipline of the NDC, adding that only the party leadership had the authority to constitute and announce a presidential campaign council.

“All candidates of the party must appreciate that they are not running as independent candidates.

“They are products of the party and remain subject to the authority and discipline of the party.

“Therefore, only the party’s leadership can constitute and announce a Presidential Campaign Council,” Moses said.

He warned party members, candidates and support groups against undermining the party or operating structures in its name without the necessary approval.

“Henceforth, no individual or group is authorised to announce, constitute, or publish any campaign council, structure, or organ in the name of the party without prior approval from the National Working Committee (NWC),” he said.

Moses acknowledged the contributions of support groups to the party’s activities but cautioned them against presenting themselves as alternative or parallel structures.

“While the party will continue to work collaboratively with all support groups, such groups should not see themselves as alternative party structures or parallel organs of the party,” he said.

He further urged support groups and party members with grievances to use the party’s established internal mechanisms rather than resorting to public attacks or actions that could undermine the party’s structures.