- Safiu Kehinde
Obidient Movement, the support group of the 2023 Labour Party’s Presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has dismissed the emergence of a faction leadership of the group.
NPO earlier Reported the emergence of a new faction which claimed to be the original founder of the movement.
The faction, at a press conference held on Thursday, announced the rebranding and change of name to Obedient Movement.
It dismissed the leadership of the Obidient Movement’s national coordinator, Yunusa Tanko, while also announcing the sacking of Peter Obi as its national leader.
The International Coordinator of the faction, Dr Barry Avotu Johnson, held that Obi, Tanko, and other leaders of the Obidient Movement had assumed leadership of the group with consent of the founding members.
Reacting to the development in a statement issued on the movement’s official X handle, Tanko dismissed the emergence of a faction of the group.
He labelled the Obedient Movement as a structure deliberately designed to create confusion around the identity of the group.
Tanko affirmed that no other faction of the movement exists outside the recognised leadership framework aligned to Obi.
He urged members of the public and stakeholders to disregard he faction, stressing that they do not represent the movement.
“The Obidient Movement has become aware of the activities and announcements by certain individuals and groups attempting to operate under names and structures deliberately designed to create confusion around the identity, leadership, and direction of the Obidient Movement.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Obidient Movement recognizes no parallel structure, faction, or alternative leadership outside its established and recognized leadership framework aligned with His Excellency, Peter Obi.
“The public, media organizations, supporters across Nigeria and the diaspora, and all stakeholders are hereby advised that any group operating under derivative or deceptively similar identities does not represent the Obidient Movement, its values, or its leadership.” The statement partly read.
Tanko reiterated the Obidient Movement’s stance as a people-driven movement founded on integrity, accountability, justice, and the collective aspiration for a New Nigeria.
He held that the movement will not be swayed by attempt to misrepresent its identity.
“Attempts to create confusion, misrepresent the movement’s identity, or exploit its growing influence for ulterior interests will not distract us from our mission and ongoing engagement with Nigerians across all levels.
“We urge all Obidients and members of the public to remain focused, united, and guided only by communications issued through the officially recognized leadership and communication channels of the movement. The vision of a New Nigeria remains alive, clear, and unwavering.” Tanko added.