Obidient Movement Members Switch Support to Tinubu for 2027

Some members of the Obidient Movement, who backed Peter Obi’s Labour Party in the 2023 elections, have now chosen President Bola Tinubu as their preferred candidate for the 2027 presidential election.

The members, who have now renamed themselves “Batified Obidients”, made this announcement at a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday.

Adesina Fagbenro-Byron, a former director of Operations for the Obidient Movement, spoke for the group. He said they believe Mr Obi, who is now running for president under the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), does not have what it takes to lead Nigeria.

Fagbenro-Byron said the group feels Mr Obi is not prepared for the demands of governing Nigeria.

"Looking back with clear eyes, we have come to see that the demands of leading a country as complex and demanding as Nigeria may have been beyond what Mr Peter Obi was prepared for. This is not to say he did not try, or that his intentions were not sincere. But it became clear to those of us inside the campaign that he was, in many ways, out of his depth without fully realizing it," he said.

He also accused Mr Obi of not using the skills and knowledge of professionals who volunteered to support his campaign.

"He did not seem to recognize the extraordinary resource of volunteers around him, professionals who had willingly offered their time, skills, and expertise, eager to help build something better. That vast pool of talent was largely left untapped. The opportunity was there. It was not seized," he said.

Fagbenro-Byron added that the group's decision is based on their view of Mr Obi's ability to lead, not out of bitterness.

"We say this not with bitterness, but with a measure of sympathy for a man who found himself in a role for which he was not fully equipped, and who may not have understood how much support was within his reach. We gave him the opportunity. We gave him the encouragement. Some of us provided the resources. What we could not give him was the capacity he did not have," he said.

Reasons for Supporting Tinubu

The group acknowledged the problems Nigeria faces, such as economic hardship, insecurity, corruption, and issues in education and healthcare under Mr Tinubu's leadership. They stated that the president's reforms are starting to show positive changes.

"We saw his government begin, and we saw the regime of reforms he set out to deliver. We have watched those reforms with open minds. They have been difficult. They have been painful for many households," Fagbenro-Byron said.

He noted that rising hunger and living costs are pressuring families, and both healthcare and public schools need significant improvement.

"Terrorism and insecurity are a grave cause for concern. Corruption has not vanished. And we cannot ignore the millions of children who are still out of school, a crisis that threatens the future of our nation," he said.

Despite these issues, he claimed that the administration's policies are setting the stage for economic recovery and better financial health for state governments.

Fagbenro-Byron pointed to the removal of the petrol subsidy, higher allocations to states, a drop in debt servicing, stronger foreign reserves, and easing inflation as signs of progress.

"We do not dismiss these realities. We live among them. Yet we have also seen a deliberate direction: the end of the practice of borrowing billions every year to keep petrol artificially cheap; higher allocations reaching states and local governments; debt service as a share of revenue coming down; reserves strengthening; and inflation easing from its earlier peaks," he said.

He also mentioned the Electricity Act, which allows states to create their own power markets, and the Supreme Court’s support for local government financial independence as major reforms.

Fagbenro-Byron further highlighted the federal government’s student loan program and growth in local fertiliser production as initiatives that could boost economic development.

"The Electricity Act has opened the door for states to develop their own power markets. Local government financial autonomy has been affirmed by the Supreme Court. Student loans are already supporting hundreds of thousands of young Nigerians. Local fertiliser production has expanded.

These are not finished victories. They are the foundations of a country that can produce more of what it needs instead of living forever on imports and artificial prices," he stated.

New Name for the Group

As part of their support for Mr Tinubu, the former members of the Obidient Movement announced they would change their name to Batified Obidients and adopt the All Progressives Congress (APC) as their political party for the 2027 elections.

"We are coming together again. We are former Labour Party and Obidient supporters. We are now shifting our support to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and adopting the All Progressives Congress, the APC, as our political vehicle for 2027, under the name Batified Obidients," Fagbenro-Byron said.

He explained that the group's desire for good governance and sustainable development led to this decision, believing that Mr Tinubu and the APC are the best options to continue reforming the country.

"We do not make this choice lightly. We make it because of our common goal: good governance and sustainable development for Nigeria. We believe that, at this moment in our national journey, President Tinubu and the APC offer the most credible direction, the most tested resolve, and the most viable platform to continue the work of rebuilding Nigeria," he said.

Mobilisation for Tinubu

The group plans to mobilize voters and campaign for the APC as the 2027 general elections approach. They also endorsed Vice-President Kashim Shettima for another term, praising his teamwork and intelligence.

"Therefore, we unequivocally endorse President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term. This endorsement naturally extends to Vice-President Shettima, who has equally demonstrated a huge capacity for teamwork and intellect, and who has so far largely dispelled the fears that many had about a Muslim-Muslim ticket," Fagbenro-Byron said.

He mentioned that the group will reach out to former members, undecided voters, and other Nigerians to promote inclusive governance.

He also promised they would work to boost the president’s support, especially in states where he lost in the 2023 election.

"We will register, organise, campaign, attend rallies, and vote for the APC and for President Tinubu in 2027," he said.

Fagbenro-Byron recognized that not all former Obidient supporters would join the new movement. Some have aligned with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the NDC, or the Labour Party.

"We may not be able to bring every Obidient onto this platform. Some have since moved to the ADC, some to the NDC, and some remain with the Labour Party. We respect their choices and wish them well," he said.

He is confident that the new group will attract many former supporters of Mr Obi and help the APC mobilise ahead of the 2027 election.