By Jane Okafor, Abuja
All is not well with Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP) and his Obidient Movement regarding their place in the Coalition movement and African Democratic Congress (ADC), the forces behind the push to unseat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.
Barely a month after the unveiling of ADC, neither Obi has formally joined the party nor his Obidient Movement accommodated in the decision making processes of the Coalition adopted party, a development observers said, suggests emerging cracks in the gang up by the coalition group to sack Tinubu.
The Daily Crucible reports that ADC was unveiled to Nigerians on July 2, 2025, as the coalition’s political vehicle – party, to unseat Tinubu and the APC in 2027.
Among the political gladiators at the gathering in Abuja at the time for the ADC unveiling were the interim national chairman, David Mark, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Obi, former Governor Nasir El-Rufai, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal.
However, a leaked memo from the Obidient Movement to the former governor of Anambra State indicated that Obi and his people have not been accorded the rightful recognition despite their perceived pivotal role in the formation and strengthening of the coalition.
Obidient movement claimed members have been sidelined and marginalised tion in key decision-making processes.
A document dated July 29, 2025, and signed by the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Dr Tanko Yunusa, revealed the group as accusing the coalition of marginalising its members.
The memo, according to report, read, “We write on behalf of the Obidient Movement to express our severe grievances regarding recent developments within the coalition’s systems.
“Our people are deliberately excluded at all levels.
While we remain committed to the shared vision of building a united and formidable front for the task ahead, we must raise the following issues that our members have repeatedly flagged.”
Tanko identified lack of inclusion in major deliberations as some of their grievances.
He lamented that none of Obi’s loyalists was deemed good enough to share a table with the ADC decision makers.
“Several of our designated representatives and members are reportedly being excluded from crucial meetings where major decisions affecting the coalition are made.
“This creates an impression of marginalisation and undermines trust, which is essential for building a sustainable partnership,” he lamented.
The Obidients also faulted what was described as “non-existent representation,” insisting the coalition’s current structure did not reflect its strength and contribution.
The movement coordinator, therefore, urged Obi to wade into the matter without delay.
“The current structure does not reflect the Obidient Movement’s strength and contribution to this coalition.
“We strongly believe that there should be at least one working committee member and one non-working committee member representing the Obidient Movement in each geopolitical zone,” the memo stressed.
“We believe these measures are crucial to building trust and repositioning the coalition for success.
“We look forward to you resolving this with the party leadership in the spirit of the new Nigeria we want to build.”
The development, according to the Punch report is already generating ripples among stakeholders, with fears that the rift, if unresolved, could undermine the coalition’s chances ahead of the 2027 polls.
