Just In: Obedient Movement Expels Peter Obi, Yunusa Tanko, Others

By Omoyeni Ojeifo, Abuja

The New Obedient Movement Worldwide has announced the expulsion of former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Gregory Obi, Alhaji Yunusa Tanko, and other members appointed under what it described as an unauthorized leadership structure that emerged after the 2023 elections.

Dr. Barry Avotu Johnson, the Coordinator Worldwide, announced this at a media briefing on Thursday in Abuja during the unveiling of the “New Obedient Movement Worldwide Agenda.”

Persecondnews reporter, who covered the briefing reports that John said the movement was founded in 2022 as the Obedient Movement Worldwide before the identity later evolved around Obi’s presidential movement and supporters became widely known as “Obidients.”

According to him, following consultations with founding members, coordinators across Nigeria and the diaspora, and other stakeholders, the movement resolved to reclaim its original structure and leadership framework ahead of the 2027 elections.

“The New Obedient Movement Worldwide, under its newly restructured leadership, hereby announces the dissolution of all previously constituted leadership structures that emerged outside the authority of the founding framework of this movement,” he said.

He stated that all individuals who assumed leadership positions or acted on behalf of the movement without the consent of its original founders would no longer be recognized in any capacity.

“In this regard, the movement formally withdraws recognition and membership status from the former LP presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Gregory Obi, Alhaji Yunusa Tanko, and all other persons appointed under the unauthorized leadership structure that emerged after the 2023 elections,” Johnson stated.

The group maintained that the decision takes immediate effect and remains final, adding that the affected persons remain expelled as leaders and members of the movement respectively.

Johnson insisted that the movement was not established for personal political advancement or private control by any individual or group.

“The Obedient Movement Worldwide is not a platform for personal political advancement, nor is it an instrument to be controlled by any individual or group for private gain,” he said.

He further declared that the movement had now been reclaimed and reset under a new leadership arrangement.

Despite the expulsion, the group said it remains open to dialogue with Obi if he is willing to cooperate with the new leadership structure.

He described the development as part of efforts to restore discipline, trust, and organizational integrity within the movement ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The group also called on supporters, institutions, security agencies, and the international community to recognize the authority of its newly restructured leadership and warned against unauthorized use of the movement’s name, identity, or structure.