The Obidient Movement has firmly disowned all parallel groups and structures operating in its name, warning Nigerians against attempts to hijack the movement ahead of future political engagements.
In a statement issued on Thursday by its National Coordinator, Dr Yunusa Tanko, the movement expressed concern over individuals and groups creating confusion around its identity and leadership.
“The Obidient Movement has become aware of the activities and announcements by certain individuals and groups attempting to operate under names and structures deliberately designed to create confusion around the identity, leadership, and direction of the Obidient Movement,” Tanko said.
He stressed that the movement recognises no faction or alternative leadership outside its established structure aligned with Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Obidient Movement recognises no parallel structure, faction, or alternative leadership outside its established and recognised leadership framework aligned with His Excellency, Peter Obi,” Tanko declared.
The statement further warned that such attempts to exploit the movement’s growing influence for personal or ulterior interests would not derail its core mission.
“Attempts to create confusion, misrepresent the movement’s identity, or exploit its growing influence for ulterior interests will not distract us from our mission and ongoing engagement with Nigerians across all levels,” he added.
Tanko urged the public, media organisations, and supporters both in Nigeria and the diaspora to rely only on officially recognised channels and avoid associating with any derivative or deceptively similar groups.
“The public, media organisations, supporters across Nigeria and the diaspora, and all stakeholders are hereby advised that any group operating under derivative or deceptively similar identities does not represent the Obidient Movement, its values, or its leadership,” he said.
The movement reiterated its commitment to the ideals of integrity, accountability, and justice in the pursuit of a “New Nigeria.” No specific mention was made of the 2027 general elections in the statement.
