Obidient Movement Faction Expels Peter Obi, Dissolves All LP Structures

Political drama hit Abuja on Thursday when a group claiming to be the original founders of the Obidient Movement announced it was expelling former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi and his close ally Yunusa Tanko, dissolving all LP-linked structures and rebranding under a new name.

The group, calling itself the “#OBEDIENT Movement,” said the move was necessary to reclaim what it called the movement’s hi jack ed original vision. Dr. Barry Avotu Johnson, who chaired the press briefing, said people who took over after the 2023 elections had turned the platform into a vehicle for personal and political interests.

“We are no longer affiliated with the Labour Party and have not adopted any 2027 presidential candidate,” Dr. Johnson said. “The movement belongs to the people — to the streets, the youths, the workers. We are reclaiming it today.”

Obi’s 2027 ambitions just got more complicated. Days earlier, he had exited the Allied Democratic Congress and formally joined the National Democratic Congress alongside Kano Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, sparking speculation about a potential joint ticket. That coalition needs grassroots energy — and this split could tear the Obidient base apart at the worst possible moment.

The expelled faction appointed Mallam Nasir Baba as Secretary, with more leadership appointments expected. For now, the group says it is focused on restructuring and building a “long-term political vision” for 2027 — one that does not depend on any single candidate.

Tanko dismissed the announcement as the work of a rival faction with no actual authority. But the timing is awkward — coming just as Obi tries to consolidate support ahead of what is shaping up to be a crowded and deeply competitive presidential race.

Sources: Newspeakonline, Daily Report Nigeria, Vanguard