Fresh political controversy emerged on Thursday after a group claiming to be leaders of the Obidient Movement announced the expulsion of Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Mr Peter Obi, from the organisation.
The group also declared the immediate disbandment of the “#Obidient Movement” and announced its rebranding as the “#OBEDIENT Movement” ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The development has added a new twist to political activities already building up ahead of the next presidential election, with different political groups and alliances beginning to reposition themselves.
At a press briefing in Abuja, the group’s International Coordinator, Dr Barry Avotu Johnson, said the decision followed what he described as the hijack of the movement by individuals pursuing personal and political interests.
According to him, the original ideals of the movement had been abandoned after the 2023 elections.
The group also announced the expulsion of Obi’s close ally, Yunusa Tanko, and others appointed under what it described as an “unauthorised leadership structure” that emerged after the election.
Johnson accused some leaders of using the movement for “political prostitution” and personal gain instead of pursuing the reform agenda many supporters believed in during the 2023 campaign season.
He said the group decided to completely distance itself from Obi and his loyalists.
“After the 2023 elections, the original vision and founding ideals of the movement were no longer adequately represented by those who took over its structure,” Johnson stated.
According to him, the organisation would now operate under the new name “#OBEDIENT Movement” and would no longer be connected to Obi, the Labour Party or any political structure linked to the former Anambra State governor.
Johnson stressed that the rebranded movement had not adopted any presidential candidate for the 2027 election.
“We are not aligned with any candidate for now, and we have ceased to have dealings with the Labour Party,” he said.
The group did not immediately provide details of its membership strength or legal authority to remove Obi from a movement widely associated with his presidential ambition.
As of Thursday evening, neither Peter Obi nor Yunusa Tanko had officially reacted to the announcement.
The Obidient Movement became one of the most talked-about political groups in Nigeria during the 2023 general elections.
The movement was largely driven by young Nigerians and supporters of Peter Obi, who campaigned heavily on social media and grassroots platforms under the slogan of “taking back Nigeria.”
Many members of the movement presented Obi as an alternative to the country’s traditional political establishment dominated by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Although Obi lost the presidential election to President Bola Tinubu of the APC, the movement gained national attention because of the strong support it attracted from youths, professionals and first-time voters.
The Labour Party also recorded significant victories in some urban areas and among younger voters during the election.
However, since the end of the 2023 polls, there have been reports of internal disagreements within the movement and the Labour Party itself.
Some members accused certain leaders of trying to control the movement for personal political interests, while others complained about lack of structure and direction after the election.
Already, discussions have started within different political camps over possible alliances, coalition talks and future presidential ambitions.
Peter Obi has remained one of the major opposition figures in the country since the 2023 election.
Despite the defeat, he continues to enjoy support among many young Nigerians and opposition supporters who believe he still represents political change.
Obi has also remained active in national debates, frequently commenting on issues relating to the economy, governance and insecurity.
The former Anambra governor has repeatedly stated that he is committed to building a “new Nigeria,” a slogan that became popular during his campaign.
The Labour Party, on the other hand, has continued to face internal leadership disputes since the 2023 elections.
Several court cases and disagreements among party officials have created uncertainty within the party structure.
Thursday’s announcement by the Abuja-based group has also raised questions about who truly controls the Obidient Movement and whether the movement exists as a formal political organisation or simply as a broad support network for Obi.
Because of this, some observers argue that no single group can claim full ownership of the movement or officially remove Obi from it.
Others believe the disagreement reflects wider struggles for influence within opposition politics ahead of 2027.
Political parties and support groups are expected to witness more realignments in the coming months as politicians begin consultations and alliance-building ahead of the next election cycle.
Meanwhile, supporters of Obi on social media reacted differently to the development.
While some dismissed the announcement as irrelevant, others described it as evidence of growing divisions within the movement.
Some supporters insisted that the Obidient Movement remains strongly connected to Obi and cannot be separated from him because it was built around his presidential campaign.
As political activities continue to gather momentum across the country, analysts say opposition groups may face serious challenges if internal disagreements and leadership struggles are not resolved before the 2027 elections.
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