A faction claiming authority over the Obidient Movement has announced the expulsion of former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and the movement’s interim National Coordinator, Yunusa Tanko, alongside a sweeping rebranding and restructuring of the organisation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The development, which has further deepened tensions within the pro-Obi political network, was unveiled at a press briefing in Abuja, where the group declared that it was “reclaiming” the movement from what it described as “unauthorised leadership structures” that emerged after the 2023 elections.
According to the faction’s International Coordinator, Dr. Barry Avotu Johnson, the decision followed an internal review of the movement’s direction, which he claimed had deviated from its founding principles.
Johnson said the restructuring was necessary to restore the original vision of the group, insisting that the movement was being returned to its “true custodians.”
“We have come to inform the world that the original founders and custodians of the true Obidient Movement Worldwide have resolved to reclaim the movement and return it to the people,” he stated.
He added that the leadership structure associated with Peter Obi and his associates had been dissolved, describing their continued control as inconsistent with the movement’s founding ideals.
The faction also announced that the group has been rebranded and will now operate under a refreshed identity as it positions itself for the 2027 electoral cycle. It, however, noted that no presidential candidate had been adopted at this stage.
Johnson further disclosed that Mallam Nasir Baba had been appointed as Secretary of the restructured movement, while other leadership positions would be filled in due course as consultations continue across states and the diaspora.
The group also severed ties with the Labour Party, stating that it would henceforth operate independently of existing political party structures.
The announcement comes amid ongoing disputes over the control, identity, and ideological direction of the Obidient Movement, which rose to prominence during the 2023 election cycle as a major grassroots support base for Peter Obi.
Both Peter Obi and Yunusa Tanko have yet to publicly respond to the latest claims at the time of filing this report.
The development is expected to further reshape conversations around emerging political realignments ahead of the 2027 elections, particularly within Nigeria’s youth-driven political mobilisation space.
