The Obidient Movement has appointed Dr Moses Paul as its new National Coordinator following the appointment of the movement’s former coordinator, Dr Yunusa Tanko, as Political Adviser on Northern Nigeria to Peter Obi.
The leadership change was announced after a virtual meeting involving leaders and state coordinators of the movement on Wednesday, September 30, as members reviewed the transition and Tanko’s new political responsibility.
Tanko had coordinated the movement for about two years and was involved in efforts to strengthen its organisational structures across the country. His new assignment will see him focus more directly on political engagement and mobilisation in Northern Nigeria as political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections gather momentum.
Explaining the reason for the transition, Tanko said his new responsibility would require greater attention to the northern region, making it necessary for him to hand over the day to day coordination of the movement.
He also reflected on some of the structures developed during his time as National Coordinator, including coordination structures across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, regional structures and grassroots networks extending across the country’s 774 local government areas.
Tanko also pointed to the establishment of a National Advisory Council and digital initiatives designed to improve communication, recruitment and mobilisation within the movement. Among the initiatives mentioned was the Obidient.com platform, which was developed as a digital channel for engaging supporters and expanding the movement’s network.
An election results monitoring initiative was also highlighted as part of the structures created during his tenure. The system was designed to support monitoring of election results through the Independent National Electoral Commission’s Results Viewing Portal.
Tanko said the developments recorded during his tenure were not the work of one person, but the result of contributions from coordinators, volunteers, leaders and supporters across the country.
With Moses Paul now taking over as National Coordinator, attention will shift to how the new leadership manages the movement’s existing structures and maintains coordination among its state and grassroots networks.
Paul is not new to the movement and has been involved in its activities. His appointment means he will now assume responsibility for coordinating the national structure at a time when political engagement is becoming increasingly active across the country.
The transition also comes against the backdrop of preparations for the 2027 general elections, when Peter Obi and political groups associated with his political movement are expected to intensify engagement with supporters and communities across Nigeria.
For Tanko, however, the immediate focus will be Northern Nigeria. His new role is expected to involve engagement with stakeholders and political actors across the region, as well as efforts to strengthen existing structures and expand political mobilisation.
Tanko thanked Peter Obi for the confidence placed in him and acknowledged the contribution of members of the movement during his time as National Coordinator.
He also urged members to extend the same cooperation to Moses Paul as he begins his tenure.
The change in leadership effectively gives the two men different areas of responsibility. Paul will oversee the national coordination of the Obidient Movement, while Tanko will concentrate on his new northern political assignment.
The development comes at a period when political organisations across Nigeria are repositioning, building structures and strengthening grassroots networks ahead of the next general elections. How the Obidient Movement manages the transition and translates its existing national structures into sustained grassroots engagement will be closely watched as the political season progresses.
