The Obidient Movement has declared it will remain in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) even if former Vice President Atiku Abubakar emerges as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 election.
The group made its position known following the defection of its principal figure, Peter Obi, from the Labour Party to the ADC.
The movement said its commitment is to the party and the democratic process, not just to winning the ticket.
The position was disclosed by the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Yunusa Tanko, during a television interview on Thursday. He spoke shortly after Obi’s formal entry into the ADC.
Tanko said the movement is confident that Obi has a strong chance of clinching the ADC presidential ticket.
He noted that the growing support base being brought into the party gives Obi a clear advantage ahead of the primaries.
According to him, the Obidient Movement is prepared to participate fully in the party’s internal process. He stressed that members would contest fairly and respect the outcome of the primary election.
“When it comes to the issue of primary as democrats, we will go in there and contest equitably well with every contestant based on democratic tenets. And of course, we believe at the end of it all, Mr. Peter Obi will come out on top with the large, teeming population that he’s bringing into the ADC.”
Despite this confidence, Tanko said the movement will not walk away from the party if Obi does not secure the ticket. He stated that democracy requires acceptance of outcomes and collective responsibility.
“We are democrat and we will take democratic decisions. That means that we will remain in the party and give the party the lease of life that it demands democratically. Democracy comes with affirmation and he (Obi) has affirmed to be part of the democratic process. So we will take our decision democratically and remain with the movement and the coalition as it were,” Yunusa said.
Tanko also revealed that Obi has directed members of the Obidient Movement across the country to register formally with the ADC. He said members have been asked to pick up party membership cards in their respective wards.
He added that the party should expect an influx of prominent political figures in the coming days. According to him, Obi’s defection has triggered renewed interest among politicians who were previously aligned elsewhere.
Tanko pointed to the presence of former governors and federal lawmakers at Obi’s defection event in Enugu as a sign of growing momentum.
He said some lawmakers openly defected on the spot and assumed leadership roles within the party structure.
“Members of the Federal House of Representatives who were part of other political parties defected right there and took up the mantle of leadership of joining the ADC. This was done only yesterday at that particular Nikki Lake hotel. It is important for me to raise this.”
He described Obi as a strong political mobiliser with the ability to attract committed supporters across the country. Tanko said the calibre of people joining the ADC through Obi reflects a desire to change the political narrative.
“He (Obi) is the only presidential candidate that came up with a lot of teaming support of people who came in to join him. That speaks volume. So if you like, you can undermine that particular strength of political interest and watch in the next few days.”
“So, Peter Obi is a mobilizer of men, men of integrity, people who believe that they need to change the narrative. And they believe that this is the time, better organized, ready to move.”
Tanko further reassured supporters that the movement remains intact and focused. He said the Obidient Movement has already taken a clear position on following Obi wherever he goes politically.
“The Obedient Movement have declared long before now that anywhere Mr. Peter Obi is going, we will go with him. So currently, don’t be perturbed. Be more hopeful that I can tell you that the mobilization and the movement that you will see will be different from what you saw in 2023.”
He concluded by saying mass registration into the ADC will begin shortly, with members acting independently across the country.
“So, in the next few weeks, you will be seeing people doing their independent picking of the cards of the ADC, which I have affirmed that every obedient would also do any moment from now.”
Recall Politics Nigeria earlier reported that Peter Obi dumped the Labour Party for the ADC, a move that has reshaped opposition politics ahead of the 2027 general election.
