The Obidient Movement has rejected claims by former senator Dino Melaye that Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, lacks the capacity to unite Nigeria, insisting that the former Anambra governor remains the country’s right leader.
In a statement on Friday in Abuja, National Coordinator Yunusa Tanko described Melaye’s remarks as a misreading of the prevailing political mood and the growing demand by Nigerians for a new style of leadership.
Melaye had reportedly acknowledged Obi as a “fantastic Nigerian” and a “great man,” but questioned his ability to unify the nation, arguing that the presidency was “not his time.”
The movement countered that such claims reflect the mindset of a political establishment that has long overseen the divisions it now purports to resolve.
“The question is not whether it is Peter Obi’s time, but whether it is time for Nigeria to finally break free from the cycle of failed leadership, economic stagnation and disunity,” the statement read.
The Obidient Movement cited the momentum Obi generated during the 2023 presidential election as proof of his ability to bring Nigerians together across ethnic and regional lines.
It highlighted the emergence of the movement itself—a grassroots, youth-driven coalition that mobilised supporters nationwide irrespective of ethnicity, religion, or geography. Mass rallies in cities across the North, South, East, and West underscored an unprecedented cross-regional support base, the group said.
The movement also pointed to Obi’s strong electoral performance in key areas during the 2023 poll, including Lagos State, a stronghold of then-APC presidential candidate Bola Tinubu, and the Federal Capital Territory, as evidence of his broad national appeal.
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According to the statement, Obi’s choice of running mate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, further reflected a deliberate effort to promote inclusiveness and national balance.
Beyond national unity, the group said Obi’s leadership credentials were backed by his record as governor of Anambra State, where he served for eight years.
It said his administration prioritised fiscal discipline, education, healthcare and infrastructure while maintaining prudent management of public resources.
The statement also highlighted several recognitions Obi received during and after his tenure, including “Most Prudent Governor in Nigeria” by THISDAY Newspapers and “Best Performing Governor on Immunisation” by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
The movement argued that Obi’s advocacy for shifting Nigeria from a consumption-driven economy to a production-based one was rooted in his experience as a public administrator.
It added that the growing support for Obi, particularly among young Nigerians, reflected what it described as a new political consciousness driven by demands for transparency, accountability and effective governance.
“The 2023 election demonstrated that millions of Nigerians, especially the youth, are no longer content with the status quo,” the statement added.
According to the group, Nigeria’s current economic and social challenges make it imperative for the country to embrace a new leadership direction.
“It is precisely because Nigeria is at a crossroads, facing unprecedented economic hardship and social division, that this is the time for a leader like Peter Obi.
“His time is now because Nigeria’s time for a new beginning is now,” the statement said.
