As crises continue to rock the Labour Party over the status of the Obidient Movement, the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has said that the Movement cannot be annexed by any political party.
Despite the party creating a directorate for the Obidient Movement and appointing eight ‘Obidient’ members to control its affairs, Obi stated that no political party can create a directorate for the Obidient Movement.
Obi, the principal mentor of the Obidient Movement in Nigeria, indicated that the group is beyond a political party and cannot be annexed or subsumed into one. A statement by his spokesperson, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, quoted Obi explaining on his X handle on Wednesday, “I want to categorically state that the Obidient Movement is not a directorate in any particular political party. Any individual or individuals claiming to be leaders of this non-existent directorate are simply not members of the broader Obidient Movement.
“There may be a youth mobilisation directorate in political parties, but the Obidient Movement is far beyond a particular political party. The Obidient Movement is a diverse and inclusive collective that transcends traditional political, religious, and ethnic affiliations.
“It is not domiciled within any particular party or headquartered in any particular part of the country. Its membership spans across Africa and the globe, comprising individuals from various backgrounds, including rural communities, and public, private, and corporate entities, united by a shared vision for a New and better Nigeria. Guided by the principles of adaptive and transformative change, progress, discipline, and democratic values, the Obidient Movement advocates for fairness, equity, inclusivity, and justice.
“It is committed to a strictly accountable and responsible code of government. Our members are committed to contributing to the realisation of a better future for Nigeria through the New Nigeria project, anchored on loyalty, integrity, and democratic values.
“The Obidient Movement seeks to foster positive change through a commitment to integrity, honesty, and accountability, rejecting deceitful behaviours.
“We serve as a beacon of hope for a reimagined Nigeria, where leadership is grounded in character, capacity, competence, compassion, and the well-being of all citizens.
“Let this serve as a clarification that the Obidient Movement operates independently of any political party, and its membership is not limited to any particular affiliation.
“Our focus remains steadfast on driving positive change and promoting a New Nigeria for all. This is who we are and will remain for all time.”
The National Publicity Secretary of LP, Obiorah Ifoh, had earlier explained the creation of the directorate as part of the party’s repositioning efforts to integrate millions of youths, particularly the ‘Obidient’ family, into the Labour Party. However, in response to Obi’s clarification, the party renamed the Obidient Directorate as the Directorate of Mobilization and Integration.
Obiora, in a statement, said, “Following the controversies arising from the creation of the Directorate of Obidient Affairs in the party, the Directorate is hereby renamed the Directorate of Mobilization and Integration.
“The inauguration will take place on Saturday, June 8, 2024, at the party’s National Secretariat, Utako, Abuja, at 10 am.”
