Obidient Movement Split, Faction Defect to APC, Back Tinubu 2027

Former Deputy Campaign Manager for the Obi/Datti presidential campaign, Comrade Isaac Balami, led Obidient leaders and professionals to a meeting with President Bola Tinubu’s son, Seyi Tinubu, in Abuja on Friday, declaring their support for the president ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Balami joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) after the 2023 general elections, citing what he described as a lack of purposeful leadership within the Labour Party.

The former Trade Union Congress (TUC) spokesman led professionals and conveners of support groups who had previously worked for the Peter Obi presidential campaign to pledge their commitment to mobilising support for Tinubu’s re-election bid.

Those present included leaders of the Obidient Movement from the Middle Belt, North-Central support groups, social media influencers, representatives of about 100 support groups nationwide, professional associations, journalists, pastors, imams, and Igbo Obidient leaders from both the North and South-East.

Balami Cites Grievances From the Obi Campaign Era

In his remarks, Balami recounted what he described as injustices suffered by Obidient Movement members under the Obi/Datti Campaign Council, declaring the group now “obediently BATIFIED.”

“It is exactly three years since I left the Labour Party with my political structure. Throughout that period, we have remained patient. Now, we believe it is time to work earnestly for the APC and support the leadership of President Bola Tinubu,” he said.

“That is why we have decided to formally present our entire Obidient structure to you today. These are the people who delivered more than six million votes to Peter Obi in the 2023 presidential election. Today, they have resolved to double that figure and work towards delivering 12 million votes to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Balami said.

He said the groups gathered were active political organisations from different parts of the country, many of whom had contributed significantly to Obi’s campaign before deciding to build a new political structure within the APC.

Other leaders who addressed the gathering alleged neglect and unfair treatment within the Obidient Movement, particularly from those they had worked with during the Obi campaign, and said they would return to their communities to mobilise support for the APC.

Seyi Tinubu Welcomes Defectors, Cites Government Achievements

Welcoming the delegation into the APC and the Renewed Hope Movement, Seyi Tinubu thanked them for their support.

“We welcome you and appreciate your support, as well as your recognition of what Asiwaju has done for the country. Our movement is inclusive, and everyone will be treated fairly,” he said.

“I want to especially thank Isaac Balami for the sacrifices he has made. I appeal to him and to all of you to remain patient. We will not disappoint Nigerians,” he added.

Seyi Tinubu also pointed to what he described as key achievements of his father’s administration, including infrastructure development across the country and the Federal Capital Territory, the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), the removal of the fuel subsidy, and the implementation of a new national minimum wage.