Statement from the Obidient Movement State Coordinators Forum
27 February 2026
Distinguished Obidient Movement Leaders, and Committed Obidients across Nigeria and Diaspora,
We have read with disappointment but not surprise the article titled “Organic movement turn dormant, lame movement; what went wrong with the Obidient Movement under Dr Tanko Yunusa?” published yesterday (26 February 2026) on COPDEM MEDIA by Akor Christian Oche.
This piece is not an objective analysis. It is a thinly veiled complaint from a minute faction that feels it has lost influence. COPDEM MEDIA itself lists COPDEM as one of the “foundational groups” (which is actually debatable) supposedly sidelined. Recent reports confirm that COPDEM and some state chapters withdrew from the Abia ADC transition committee just days ago (18 February 2026).
The timing, barely 48 hours after the Obidient Movement issued a blistering press statement and petitioned the Inspector-General of Police over the attempted assassination of Peter Obi in Benin City – reveals the true intent: to sow division at the very moment our movement is demonstrating strength and vigilance.
Let us address the claims point by point with facts, not sentiment.
1. “Dormant and Lame”? The Record Speaks Otherwise* In the last seven days alone:
On 24 February 2026, National Coordinator Dr. Tanko Yunusa (an eyewitness) raised the alarm on the coordinated attack in Benin and mobilized global condemnation.
On 25 February, the Movement issued a detailed press statement demanding federal investigation, prosecution of sponsors, and presidential condemnation, actions that forced national discourse on political violence.
The Edo State Coordinator and several other State Coordinators of the Obidient Movement also separately released press statements condemning the unwarranted attack and assasination attempt on our reverred leader.
On 21 February, we issued alerts on FCT Area Council election irregularities, rejected manipulated results, and demanded accountability from INEC.
Our State Coordinators continue daily grassroots mobilization, voter education, and structure-building in every zone. The State Coordinators from across Nigeria were also in Abuja in solidarity and support to the FCT in the just concluded area council elections.
The Movement at both the National and State level have been actively engaging the coalition party, ADC to ensure that our principal HE Peter Obi clinches the presidential ticket. This is evident through the hugely successful declaration of some
State chapters of the Obidient Movement for the ADC.
What about the impressive Obidient day of service that was organized nationwide last year on our principal’s birthday?
Also, there have been town hall meetings at the ward LGA and State level at various times in the various States. Furthermore, several States State chapters have been actively organizing Radio shows, Obidient hour or half hour as the case may be, thereby enhancing the movement’s visibility, citizens’ engagement and mobilization drive.
This is not dormancy. This is an active, responsive, nationwide movement operating at the highest level of political engagement.
2. Leadership and “Sidelining of Foundational Groups”
The claim that foundational support groups were excluded is inaccurate.
Under Dr. Tanko’s national leadership, all major support platforms, including COPDEM, CPO, POSN, Big Tent, and others, were given two clear options:
1. Fuse into a single, harmonized Obidient Movement structure, or
2. Operate independently as affiliated support groups under the broader Obidient umbrella.
Mr. Akor’s COPDEM voluntarily chose to remain an independent support group.
Autonomy was respected.
In addition, the National Obidient Movement formally issued Certificates of Independence to support groups like COPDEM* to operate autonomously under the Obidient umbrella.
These certificates recognized their freedom to function, organize, and demonstrate capacity independently.
To date, however, we are yet to see measurable structural impact or nationwide organizational depth comparable to what the unified national framework has achieved.
If certain groups have since lost momentum or become inactive, that outcome is a consequence of their internal organizational choices, not exclusion, not marginalization, and certainly not gatekeeping.
Dr. Tanko Yunusa was not self-appointed. In September 2024, Peter Obi himself announced him as Interim National Coordinator after wide stakeholder nominations and consultations. The process was transparent and merit-based.
Every genuine foundational group and individual that has remained loyal to the vision of a New Nigeria is welcome and represented through the Regional, State, LGA, Ward and Polling unit structures we are collectively building.
Those who choose parallel structures or public complaints instead of internal dialogue are the ones creating the “exclusion” they lament.
The Obidient Movement is not a loose coalition of fiefdoms; it is a disciplined force under one national leadership accountable to Peter Obi and the people.
3. “No Structure, No Organogram, No Deterrence”
The very existence of this State Coordinators Forum is proof of structure. We already have functional State structures in 36 states + FCT, LGA structures, Ward structures in many states and working toward Polling unit -level organs. We are not a political party with 774 LG offices yet, because we are a movement supporting broader opposition platforms (including ADC alliances where strategic). But our rapid response to the Edo attack, our election monitoring, and our media reach show we command influence far beyond what fragmented groups ever achieved in 2023.
The real “lame” approach is issuing press releases from the sidelines while the national leadership confronts thugs, petitions the IG, and protects Peter Obi’s movement on the ground.
The Collegiate Leadership Structure under Dr. Tanko ensures:
• Collective decision-making
• State-level autonomy within national coordination
• Clear national-to-ward organogram
• Continuous integration of credible actors
Leadership is earned through structure, consistency, and accountability, not nostalgia.
Movements evolve.
Those unwilling to evolve often misinterpret reform as exclusion.
4. Philanthropy vs Political Structure
Peter Obi’s humanitarian gestures (donations to schools, hospitals, IDP camps) are not a weakness, they are the moral foundation that attracted millions to the movement in the first place. They complement, not replace, political organizing. Our State Coordinators know their role: build political structures, protect votes, and mobilize for 2027. The national leadership handles high-level coordination and resource direction. This division of labour is strength, not failure.
On Financial Narratives and Diaspora Contributions
One of the reasons some actors like Mr Akor, are so uncomfortable today is because:
• The Movement now operates with more documented structures.
• Financial accountability and coordination have tightened.
• Informal fundraising pipelines without transparency are no longer acceptable.
The era of unregulated opportunism is over.
The Way Forward – Our Collective Resolution
1. Ignore paid or aggrieved distractions. Focus on your states.
2. Accelerate ward and polling-unit structuring. Document everything.
3. Reaffirm total loyalty to Peter Obi and the National Coordinator Dr. Tanko Yunusa.
4. Use every platform – social media, town halls, markets – to counter propaganda with our tangible work.
5. Prepare for 2027 with discipline, data, and deterrence through lawful advocacy.
The Obidient Movement did not begin as a “moment” and will not end as one. It is evolving from an organic 2023 uprising into a permanent, structured force for good governance. Under Dr. Tanko Yunusa’s coordination, we are more organized, more responsive, and more feared by the establishment than ever before.
A New Nigeria is POssible – and it is being built right now, state by state, LGA by LGA, Ward by Ward, Polling Unit by Polling Unit, coordinator by coordinator.
We stand united. We stand resolute. We stand Obidient.
Signed,
The Obidient Movement State Coordinators Forum
(All 36 States + FCT)
