A major political development has emerged within the Obidient Movement as the group announced a sweeping reorganisation, expelling Peter Obi and his ally Yunusa Tanko while unveiling a rebranded structure ahead of the 2027 elections.
At a press briefing in Abuja, the newly appointed International Coordinator of the rebranded #OBEDIENT Movement, Barry Johnson, announced the dissolution of the previous leadership that emerged after the 2023 elections. He said the decision to distance the group from Obi and his supporters was due to what he described as “political prostitution”, which he claimed had distorted the movement’s original mission.
“We are here today to inform the world that the Obidient Movement has been reclaimed by its true founders and custodians. This movement belongs to the people, the youth, workers, and every Nigerian who believes the country must move forward”, Johnson said.
Johnson explained that the rebranding was necessary to restore the movement’s founding ideals, insisting that the post-2023 leadership no longer reflected its original vision.
The new leadership also confirmed that the movement has cut ties with the Labour Party (LP) and will now operate independently. However, it stated that no presidential candidate has been chosen for the 2027 elections yet. Johnson added that the focus is currently on restructuring and building a long-term political vision.
Nasir Baba was announced as the Secretary of the rebranded movement, with additional leadership roles expected to be filled in the coming weeks.
He also called on the federal government and political actors to strengthen democratic processes and ensure fairness in elections. “We urge the authorities to reinforce confidence in democratic freedoms and guarantee every Nigerian the right to participate in the electoral process.
“The future of this nation depends on competent leadership and the collective will of the people”, he said.
The #OBEDIENT Movement emerged in 2022 as a youth-driven political force inspired by the EndSARS protests and gained national prominence during the 2023 elections through its alliance with the Labour Party. However, internal disagreements over leadership and ideology later led to growing tensions within the group.
