Obidient Movement Rebrands, Expels Peter Obi And Yunusa Tanko Ahead Of 2027

Photo credit: Arise News

A faction claiming to be the original custodians of the Obidient Movement has announced the expulsion of former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, alongside his ally, Yunusa Tanko, as part of a sweeping restructuring ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The group also declared the immediate disbandment of the existing #Obidient Movement structure, accusing its former leadership of abandoning the movement’s founding ideals for personal and political interests.

Speaking during a press briefing in Abuja, the faction’s International Coordinator, Barry Avotu Johnson, announced that the organisation has now been rebranded as the “#OBEDIENT Movement” in a bid to distance itself from Obi and his loyalists.

Johnson said the movement no longer has any affiliation with the Labour Party and has yet to endorse any presidential candidate for the 2027 elections.

“Today, we have come to inform the world that the original founders and custodians of the true Obedient Movement Worldwide have resolved to reclaim the movement and return it to the people,” he said.

According to him, the restructuring became necessary after the 2023 elections, when the movement’s leadership allegedly drifted away from its original mission.“

Effective immediately, the movement is entering a new era of rebranding, restructuring, reconciliation, and renewed vision ahead of the 2027 general elections,” Johnson stated.

The group also announced the appointment of Nasir Baba as secretary, adding that additional coordinators and executives would be unveiled after consultations.

Johnson called on members across Nigeria and in the diaspora to remain united as the movement undergoes reorganisation.

He also urged President Bola Tinubu’s administration to guarantee democratic freedoms ahead of the next elections and review cases involving EndSARS and anti-government protesters.

Providing background on the movement, Johnson said it emerged from the civic consciousness that followed the EndSARS protests and later aligned politically with Obi during the 2023 election cycle.

He explained that the movement initially operated through the Nigeria Youth Democratic Party before later collaborating with the Labour Party during the last presidential election.“

At that time, the movement adopted Mr Peter Obi as its preferred presidential candidate for the 2023 presidential election, and in recognition of his candidacy, the identity of the movement evolved into the popular campaign expression known as ‘Obidient,’” he said.

Neither Obi nor Tanko had publicly responded to the announcement at the time of filing this report.