The National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Yunusa Tanko, has denied reports that a splinter group within the movement expelled its founder, former Vice‑President Peter Obi, and Tanko himself. In a telephone interview with DAILY POST, Tanko described the claim as “false” and attributed the rumors to supporters of former Labour Party national chairman Julius Abure.
According to Tanko, the alleged expulsion was circulated by “Abure’s boys,” a reference to individuals he says are aligned with the former party chairman. “It’s false. It’s Abure’s boys circulating that nonsense. How can that even happen? How can they sack the owner of the Movement (Peter Obi). Isn’t that funny?” Tanko said.
The story originated from a press briefing held in Abuja on Thursday, where Dr Barry Avotu Johnson, who describes himself as the International Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, announced the formation of a new faction. Johnson claimed the faction has not endorsed any presidential candidate for the 2027 election and has terminated all formal relations with the Labour Party.
In the same statement, Johnson announced that the faction had withdrawn recognition and membership from several individuals, including Peter Obi and Yunusa Tanko, labeling them as expelled from the movement both as leaders and as members. The faction further reported that it had ceased all dealings with the Labour Party, although it did not clarify the reasons for this decision.
The Obidient Movement, founded in 2022 and named after its leader Peter Obi, has positioned itself as a platform for supporters of Obi’s progressive agenda. The group has been closely associated with the Labour Party since Obi’s presidential bid in the 2023 election. Internal disputes have occasionally surfaced, but the alleged expulsion of the movement’s founder would represent a significant split.
Peter Obi has not yet responded publicly to the faction’s claims. Similarly, the Labour Party has not issued a comment on the reported cessation of ties with the faction. The emergence of the splinter group underscores ongoing factionalism within the broader coalition of Obi supporters, raising questions about organizational cohesion ahead of the 2027 electoral cycle.
Observers note that the Obidient Movement’s internal dynamics could affect its capacity to mobilise voters and coordinate activities with the Labour Party. As the 2027 presidential race approaches, the resolution of these internal disputes may shape the movement’s influence on Nigeria’s political landscape.
