Leaders of Nigeria’s influential Obidient Movement have publicly denounced the Labour Party’s (LP) recent decision to establish an ‘Obidient Directorate’.
The move, spearheaded by LP national chairman, Julius Abure, and announced in late May, has been met with vehement opposition from the Obidient Movement, which claims it is an attempt to usurp its grassroots-driven force.
In a strongly worded statement titled ‘We Vehemently Reject Abure’s Attempt to Usurp the Obidient Movement’, released on Sunday, the leading conveners of the Obidient Movement, representing 261 support groups, expressed their outrage and unequivocal rejection of the new directorate.
The statement emphasised the movement’s independent origins and its critical role in reviving LP’s political fortunes.
It stated: “We, the leading 261 conveners of the Obidient Movement support groups, are compelled to issue this statement, rejecting Abure’s brazen attempt to co-opt the Obidient Movement by creating an ‘Obedient Directorate’ within the Labour Party.
“Let the records reflect: the Obidient Movement comprises millions of Nigerian citizens committed to the vision of a new Nigeria. This movement began in earnest in 2019, rallying behind the candidacy of Peter Obi, and gained unstoppable momentum in 2022 when Peter Obi declared his intention to run for president.
“The Obidient Movement predates Obi’s entry into the Labour Party and is a global force far more potent than the Labour Party, which had not seen electoral success since Olusegun Mimiko’s 2007 governorship win in Ondo.
“The Obidient Movement’s alignment with LP was purely a consequence of Obi’s presidential candidacy. It was the Obidient Movement that elevated LP from electoral obscurity to a political powerhouse, securing seven Senate seats, 35 House of Representatives seats, and a governorship in Abia State.
“LP had one job in the 2023 elections: to protect the votes and secure the victory achieved by the Obidients. On this simple task, Abure and his party failed spectacularly—failing Peter Obi, failing the millions of Obidients worldwide, and failing Nigeria’s future generations.
“Instead of seeking forgiveness for this monumental failure, Abure is now arrogantly attempting to subsume the Obidient Movement under the Labour Party’s control. This delusion is akin to a tadpole trying to swallow a blue whale. This ludicrous scheme, no doubt concocted within the corridors of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)—whose president and cronies are desperate to undermine Obi’s popularity and the unstoppable force of the Obidient Movement—is doomed to fail.
“Abure’s unilateral decision to proceed without consulting Obi or the core of the movement, the Obidient Support Group, exposes his bad faith intentions. The appointment of Marcel Ngogbehei as director of the ill-conceived Obidient Directorate further unmasks the deceit. Ngogbehei, a UK-based native of Imo State who posed as an Edo indigene during the 2023 campaigns, is a discredited figure wholly unsuited to any leadership role within the movement. Ngogbehei’s attempts to portray himself as ‘The Obidient Leader’ are laughable. The Obidient Movement recognises no leader other than Peter Obi.
“The Obidient Movement should be the beacon of democratic ideals, transparency, and grassroots organisation for the Labour Party, not the other way around. In conclusion, we categorically reject the creation of an Obidient Directorate within the Labour Party. We call on Abure to halt this destructive plot and engage in sincere dialogue with the true stakeholders of the Obidient Movement, starting with Peter Obi.
“To all Nigerians, at home and abroad, be advised: we, the conveners of the Obidient Movement’s support groups and organisations remain fiercely independent. We are not, and will never be, an appendage of the Labour Party.”
Those who signed the statement are
- Mubarak Bawa
The Obidient Conveners Collective
Comprising 223 Peter Obi Support Group Conveners
- Kevin Jakpor
Director-General
Peter Obi Support Network (POSN)
- Ekene Nwakuche
Co-Convener
Like Minds for Peter Obi (LMPO)
- Hon. Justin Kingland
Convener
Nigeria Needs Peter Obi (NNPO)
- Dr. Ebere Obiesie
Convener
Women for Peter Obi (WPO)
- Jude Akhidenor
Founding Member
Super Influencers for Peter Obi
- Ephraim Adiele
Executive Director
Victory Action PAC
- Chibuike Agbanu
Co-Convener
Anambra Need VCO
- Emeke Clement, Ph.D.
National Convener
Rescue Nigeria Mission (RNM)
& OBIdients for HE Peter Obi
- Mrs Eze Justina
Convener
Benevolent Women Organisation
- Amb Angela Ibe
Convener
PRO CISHAN
- Chief B. O. Nnaji
Convener
The Patriot Ambassadors (TPA)
- Ejekwuone Azuka
Convener
Concern Movement for Obi-Datti
- Engr John Dalyop Mancha
Convener
Re-energise Obi Movement (ROM)
- Mr Chinedu E. O. Nwuguru
Convener
Obi-Datti Youth Movement (ODYM)
- Dr Romanus Nwoma
Convener
Nigerians Arise for Peter Obi
- Lady Ijeoma Harold Okoro
National Convener
Peter Obi Solidarity Group Nigeria (POSGN)
- Lawrence Ngbe
National Convener
Good Governance Support Network (GGSN)
- Ihemadu Ahumonye Nkemjika, Ph.D.
Convener
Women Are Part of The Plan Organization (WAPP)
- Chucks Ezurike
For: Labour Party Support Movement (LPSM)
- Abuh Emmanuel
National Convener
ITMedia Operations Support
- Hon Ikenna Mbanefo
Convener
YES Peter Obi Support Group (YESPOSG)
- Comrade Emeka Iwuoha
Convener
Peter Obi Supporters (POS)
- Princess Ifeoma Bassey
Convener, Peter Obi Prayer Support Group
- Comrade Peter U. Ndukwu
Convener
Give Us Peter Obi Movement
- Mazi Chima Uzobuihe
Convener
Obidient Global Movement (OGM)
- Comrade Mercy Audu
Convener
Women Ambassadors for Peter Obi
- Comrade Adanu Andrew
Convener
Obi Volunteers Guard (OVG)
- Bernard Moses Ikong
Convener
Obi-Datti Ambassadors (OA)
- Comrade Matthew Igiogio Oritseweyimi
Convener
Nigerians Ask For Obi-Datti
- Comrade Joel Timothy Oche
Benue State Coordinator
We Are The Structure (WATS)
- Barr. Kenneth Tarikoro
Convener
Peter Obi Rescue Mission
- Comrade Ikponmwosa Oweie James
Convener
Good Governance #PO4P
- Hon. Edwin Ofordile
Convener
Peter Obi Comrades Assembly (POCA)
- Arch Chinelo Ofoche
TeamOHO
- Sunday Ken Awoji
Convener
Nollywood Ambassadors Int’l Initiative Solidarity Group (NAIISG)
- Dr. Moses Anongu
Peter Obi Support Movement (POSM)
- Barr. Samuel Dido
Convener
One Million March for PO Plateau State
- Jerry Bako
Convener
New Nigeria Movement for PO Nationwide
