Tension as Obidient movement rejects LP’s new directorate

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

1. Mubarak Bawa

The Obidient Conveners Collective

Comprising 223 Peter Obi Support Group Conveners

2. Kevin Jakpor

Director-General

Peter Obi Support Network (POSN)

3. Ekene Nwakuche

Co-Convener

Like Minds for Peter Obi (LMPO)

4. Hon. Justin Kingland

Convener

Nigeria Needs Peter Obi (NNPO)

5. Dr. Ebere Obiesie

Convener

Women for Peter Obi (WPO)

6. Jude Akhidenor

Founding Member

Super Influencers for Peter Obi

7. Ephraim Adiele

Executive Director

Victory Action PAC

8. Chibuike Agbanu

Co-Convener

Anambra Need VCO

9. Emeke Clement, Ph.D.

National Convener

Rescue Nigeria Mission (RNM)

& OBIdients for HE Peter Obi

10. Mrs Eze Justina

Convener

Benevolent Women Organisation

11. Amb Angela Ibe

Convener

PRO CISHAN

12. Chief B. O. Nnaji

Convener

The Patriot Ambassadors (TPA)

13. Ejekwuone Azuka

Convener

Concern Movement for Obi-Datti

14. Engr John Dalyop Mancha

Convener

Re-energise Obi Movement (ROM)

15. Mr Chinedu E. O. Nwuguru

Convener

Obi-Datti Youth Movement (ODYM)

16. Dr Romanus Nwoma

Convener

Nigerians Arise for Peter Obi

17. Lady Ijeoma Harold Okoro

National Convener

Peter Obi Solidarity Group Nigeria (POSGN)

18. Lawrence Ngbe

National Convener

Good Governance Support Network (GGSN)

19. Ihemadu Ahumonye Nkemjika, Ph.D.

Convener

Women Are Part of The Plan Organization (WAPP)

20. Chucks Ezurike

For: Labour Party Support Movement (LPSM)

21. Abuh Emmanuel

National Convener

ITMedia Operations Support

22. Hon Ikenna Mbanefo

Convener

YES Peter Obi Support Group (YESPOSG)

23. Comrade Emeka Iwuoha

Convener

Peter Obi Supporters (POS)

24. Princess Ifeoma Bassey

Convener, Peter Obi Prayer Support Group

25. Comrade Peter U. Ndukwu

Convener

Give Us Peter Obi Movement

26. Mazi Chima Uzobuihe

Convener

Obidient Global Movement (OGM)

27. Comrade Mercy Audu

Convener

Women Ambassadors for Peter Obi

28. Comrade Adanu Andrew

Convener

Obi Volunteers Guard (OVG)

29. Bernard Moses Ikong

Convener

Obi-Datti Ambassadors (OA)

30. Comrade Matthew Igiogio Oritseweyimi

Convener

Nigerians Ask For Obi-Datti

31. Comrade Joel Timothy Oche

Benue State Coordinator

We Are The Structure (WATS)

32. Barr. Kenneth Tarikoro

Convener

Peter Obi Rescue Mission

33. Comrade Ikponmwosa Oweie James

Convener

Good Governance #PO4P

34. Hon. Edwin Ofordile

Convener

Peter Obi Comrades Assembly (POCA)

35. Arch Chinelo Ofoche

TeamOHO

36. Sunday Ken Awoji

Convener

Nollywood Ambassadors Int’l Initiative Solidarity Group (NAIISG)

37. Dr. Moses Anongu

Peter Obi Support Movement (POSM)

38. Barr. Samuel Dido

Convener

One Million March for PO Plateau State

39. Jerry Bako

Convener

New Nigeria Movement for PO Nationwide