The Obidient Movement has firmly ruled out any possibility of supporting former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi as a vice-presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 general elections, declaring that its mobilisation, energy, and nationwide structure are committed solely to his emergence as President of Nigeria.
The movement made this position clear in a strongly worded statement issued on Saturday, following what it described as deliberate misrepresentation and malicious propaganda surrounding recent public comments by its National Coordinator, Dr Tanko Yunusa. According to the group, the clarification became necessary to prevent misinformation from taking root and to restate its core political objective without ambiguity.
Clarifying Yunusa’s Remarks
The controversy followed an appearance by Yunusa on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, where he stated that the Obidient Movement would operate within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and respect the outcome of the party’s presidential primary, even if former Vice President Atiku Abubakar emerged as the candidate.
During the interview, Yunusa emphasised the movement’s commitment to democratic principles, stating that it would participate fairly in the ADC primary process and allow internal democracy to prevail.
“As democrats, we will go in there and contest equitably well with every contestant based on democratic tenets. We believe that at the end of it all, Mr Peter Obi will come out on top with the large teeming population that he is bringing into the ADC,” Yunusa said.
However, his comments quickly sparked speculation in political circles and across social media that Obi’s recent decision to officially align with the ADC may have been tied to a behind-the-scenes arrangement to serve as Atiku’s running mate if the former vice president clinched the party’s ticket.
In a statement titled “The Peter Obi Presidency: A Joint Project of All Nigerians,” the Obidient Movement categorically rejected such interpretations, insisting that Yunusa’s comments had been taken out of context.
“Our attention has been drawn to deliberate misrepresentations and malicious propaganda arising from a recent interview granted by Dr Tanko Yunusa,” the statement read. “This necessitates a clear and authoritative restatement of our position.”
The group described itself as an organic, nationwide, and values-driven democratic movement, founded on principles of good governance, accountability, transparency, and the rule of law. It stressed that its purpose transcends party politics and is centred on securing credible leadership for Nigeria through lawful and democratic means.
According to the movement, its mission remains singular and non-negotiable: the election of Peter Obi as President of Nigeria.
In one of its strongest declarations yet, the Obidient Movement stated unequivocally that it is not mobilised to support Obi as a vice-presidential candidate to anyone.
“Let it be stated clearly and without ambiguity: The Obidient Movement is not mobilised to support Mr Peter Obi as a vice-presidential candidate to anyone,” the statement said. “Our support is exclusively for his emergence as President of Nigeria.”
The group further explained that while it is currently operating within the ADC as a political vehicle, its loyalty is not to the party itself but to Obi’s leadership vision and reform agenda.
“The ideals, energy, and collective resolve of the Obidient Movement are unequivocally committed to the presidential aspiration of Mr Peter Obi,” it added.
The movement maintained that it would respect the outcome of the ADC presidential primary only if the process is transparent, credible, and fair. It warned, however, that it would not hesitate to take a collective and lawful decision should the process be compromised.
According to the statement, the movement reserves the right to reassess its political strategy if internal democracy within the ADC fails to meet acceptable standards.
“Wherever Mr Peter Obi, acting within the law and guided by conscience, chooses to pursue his presidential mandate, the Obidient Movement will move with him,” the group declared.
The clarification comes amid growing pressure from Obi’s allies and supporters, many of whom have openly opposed the idea of him accepting a vice-presidential slot under any political arrangement.
Notably, renowned political economist and Obi ally, Professor Pat Utomi, recently warned during a television interview that he would withdraw his support if Obi agreed to run as a vice-presidential candidate on the ADC platform.
Utomi’s remarks echoed a broader sentiment within the Obidient Movement, which sees Obi’s candidacy not as a stepping stone, but as a destination.
As Nigeria moves closer to the 2027 elections, the Obidient Movement’s statement signals a hardening of positions and a refusal to compromise on what it describes as a national rescue mission. To its supporters, Peter Obi represents a break from the political status quo, and anything short of the presidency is viewed as a betrayal of that vision.
With political realignments intensifying and negotiations quietly unfolding across party lines, the movement’s stance sends a clear message to political actors: it is presidency or nothing.
