Tanko Denies Insulting Obi After Joining SDP

Dr Yunusa Tanko, the National Coordinator of the Adebayo-Bugaje Presidential Campaign Council, has denied claims that he insulted Peter Obi, his former boss and presidential candidate for the Nigeria Democratic Congress. This follows his recent switch to the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

Tanko made this clear in a statement from Mark Adebayo, who is the Chief Media and Communications Adviser for the Campaign Council. He called the rumors on social media false and said the people spreading them are trying to create a divide between him and Obi, the former governor of Anambra State.

Tanko stated that claims he insulted Obi are the work of troublemakers trying to tarnish his image and cause friction between the two. He emphasized that anyone who knows him would understand that he does not engage in insults or blackmail.

He said, “I can never insult His Excellency, Mr Peter Obi. We parted ways peacefully and with absolute mutual understanding.”

Tanko spoke highly of his time with Obi, saying he is thankful for the chances he had to serve as an aide and lead the Obidient Movement Worldwide. He added, “I remain forever grateful to Peter Obi, for the wonderful opportunities he gave me to serve alongside him and lead the Obidient Movement worldwide. I thank him and I stand proudly by the records of my service with him.”

He also warned those spreading rumors that their efforts to create tension between him and Obi would not work. Tanko insisted he will continue to show respect to Obi. The campaign council is asking the public and media to ignore these false reports and rely on official statements from them.

This clarification comes as political changes are happening in the opposition ahead of the 2027 elections. Tanko was recently named the National Coordinator of the SDP’s Adebayo-Bugaje Presidential Campaign Council.

The PUNCH reported on Wednesday that Tanko was introduced to the SDP National Working Committee, party leaders, and supporters during the inauguration of the party’s Presidential Campaign Council at its secretariat in Abuja. His new role comes just two weeks after he stepped down as Obi’s Political Adviser for Northern Nigeria, a position he took after he was removed as National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement in October.

At the event, Tanko revealed that he had officially resigned from his role with Obi before taking the SDP position. He explained, “I tendered my resignation on the 30th of October 2026 as the political advisor to His Excellency Mr Peter Obi, to represent Northern Nigeria.” He also mentioned that he had reached out to Obi and Senator Seriake Dickson, the National Leader of the National Democratic Congress, who welcomed him during his time as Chairman and Coordinator of the Obidient Movement.