‘Divisive’ label against us masks fear of scrutiny, say Obidients
Director-General of the Tinubu Support Group (TSG), Dr Umar Tanko-Yakasai, has called on Northern political leaders, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir el-Rufai, to uphold integrity by supporting President Bola Tinubu’s bid for a second term in 2027.

This was as the Obidient Movement dismissed ‘divisive’ claims, describing such allegations as a deliberate attempt to avoid scrutiny and accountability as the country moves closer to the 2027 general elections.

Tanko-Yakasai stated this yesterday when he received a N200 million dummy cheque from the Northern Nigeria Youth Leaders Forum (NNYLF) to fund the purchase of Tinubu’s nomination and expression of interest forms for the upcoming elections.

Commending the northern youths for the initiative, the TSG DG urged political leaders from the region to emulate the youths by prioritising national unity, fairness and justice over personal ambitions.

He stressed that the North should allow President Tinubu to complete his full two-term tenure, drawing parallels with the uninterrupted eight-year presidency of the late President Muhammadu Buhari.

“For us in northern Nigeria, we are men of our words,” he said. “Northern politicians seeking the presidency in 2027 should not place selfish interests above justice, fairness and equity. The presidency should remain in southern Nigeria for the full eight-year term, as promised.”

He added that his advocacy aligns with a consistent ideological stance, recalling his support for justice during the Goodluck Jonathan presidency.

IN a statement signed by the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, Dr Yunusa Tanko, the movement said branding the supporters of former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, as a source of division distorts the reality of why the movement emerged and what it represents in Nigeria’s political space.

“Calling Obidients ‘divisive’ fundamentally misrepresents both the origins and purpose of the movement. Obidients did not emerge out of extremism or intolerance. It arose from years of poor governance, worsening poverty, institutional decay, and a political system that consistently shut out ordinary Nigerians,” it said.

The statement also addressed concerns about the movement’s involvement in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition, stressing that coalitions are meant to expand ideas, deepen debate and strengthen alternatives, not demand silence or unquestioning loyalty.

It argued that vocal political engagement should not be mistaken for hostility, noting that passion had always been a feature of reform-driven movements in functioning democracies and that Nigeria has previously tolerated far more aggressive political following.