A leadership crisis has erupted within the Obidient and OK Movements, with rival factions issuing conflicting statements over the alleged removal and appointment of key officials.
While one faction has announced the sack of some leaders of both movements, another faction has dismissed the claims, insisting that no official changes have been made.
The dispute is particularly pronounced in the OK Movement, where two groups are laying claim to the leadership structure. One faction, led by Dr John Ughulu, maintains that he remains the Director-General of the movement. However, another faction has announced that Ughulu has been removed and replaced by High Chief Peter Ameh as the new leader.
The controversy also extends to the Obidient Movement, where Dr Yunusa Tanko, the National Coordinator and Director-General, was reportedly announced as having been removed by one faction, while another faction insists he remains in office.
Former National Publicity Secretary of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) and Convener of the OK Movement, Ladipo Johnson, has dismissed the leadership change claims, saying there is no alteration to the movement’s structure.
Johnson alleged that the movement’s official X account was taken over by Jackie Wayas, an administrator of the account who, according to him, is not part of the leadership team. He accused Wayas of using the platform to make unauthorised announcements, including the appointment of High Chief Peter Ameh as Director-General, Muhammad Hamisu as National Secretary, and Sam Amadi as Head of the Advisory Council.
He insisted that Dr Ughulu remains the Director-General of the political platform formed by supporters of former presidential candidate Peter Obi and his running mate, Rabi’u Kwankwaso.
Johnson said the situation was caused by internal disagreements and warned that public disputes within the movement could damage its credibility and political objectives.
He said the issue stemmed from personal disagreements involving some members and the leadership, adding that the takeover of the X account was used to announce changes that were not approved by the movement’s leadership.
According to him, Ughulu and Alhaji Adeleke were among the early figures who conceptualised the idea of bringing together supporters of Obi and Kwankwaso before the movement was formally established.
