The Obidient Movement has insisted that the 2027 presidency should remain in the South, declaring that former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, is best positioned to complete what it described as the region’s “remaining term.”
The National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, Dr Yunusa Tanko, made the position known in an exclusive interview with The PUNCH, amid rising political realignments ahead of the 2027 general election.
Tanko’s declaration comes on the same day Obi’s running mate in the 2023 election, Datti Baba-Ahmed declared for the 2027 presidency at a rally held at the Labour Party’s national secretariat in Abuja on Wednesday.
Baba-Ahmed’s announcement comes barely one week after Obi announced his departure from the Labour Party for the African Democratic Congress.
This move has triggered intense debate over the party’s future and the direction of the wider opposition ahead of the next general election.
On Wednesday, Baba-Ahmed flanked by the embattled LP National Chairman, Julius Abure, said his aspiration was neither reactionary nor dependent on Obi’s political decisions, stressing that his presidential ambition predates the 2023 election.
Baba-Ahmed a northern Muslim downplayed religion and ethnicity, insisting that Nigeria’s constitution guarantees every qualified citizen the right to seek elective office.
However, Tanko, a close ally of Obi, while speaking with The PUNCH, said the Obidient Movement was tired of being drawn into discussions suggesting that Obi should step aside or defer his ambition, stressing that the Obidients’ stance was rooted in democratic principles and equity.
“We are democrats. We believe it is the turn of the South and Obi will complete the remaining term of the South. That is our position,” he stated.
Tanko’s remarks come as opposition politics enters a tense phase, with multiple heavyweight contenders openly jostling for the ADC presidential ticket, raising questions about consensus, zoning and internal cohesion within the emerging opposition bloc.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar had on Tuesday vowed not to withdraw from the 2027 presidential race, dismissing calls for him to step down as dangerous to Nigeria’s democracy.
Atiku, who was the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2023 election and is now seeking the ADC ticket, made the declaration in a statement signed by his media aide, Paul Ibe, on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, at his formal declaration in Abuja on Wednesday, Datti-Baba reminded party members and supporters that his presidential ambition predated 2023 when he accepted to be Obi’s running mate.
He said, “I have made myself to contest for the office in 2027. I’m not following anybody’s trajectory or stepping into anybody’s shoes. Can I please remind you that before His Excellency Governor Peter Obi filed for the presidency, I aspired for the presidency before him? The records are there for you to see.”
The former lawmaker recalled his earlier attempt to secure his party’s presidential ticket, noting that he had contested in the Peoples Democratic Party primaries years before aligning with Obi in the Labour Party.
2027 presidency: Obidients back Obi as Datti eyes LP ticket.
Faisal Salisu Dambatta
Faisal Salisu Dambatta is a Nigerian journalist, editor, and digital publisher recognized for his dedication to factual reporting and public-interest storytelling. He has built a reputation...
Faisal Salisu Dambatta is a Nigerian journalist, editor, and digital publisher recognized for his dedication to factual reporting and public-interest storytelling. He has built a reputation for blending traditional journalistic integrity with modern, data-driven news analysis.
Over the years, Faisal has covered national and regional developments across politics, governance, technology, and socio-economic affairs. His writing emphasizes accuracy, accountability, and the preservation of journalistic ethics in the digital age.
He currently serves as a lead editor at Etimes247 Newspaper, where he oversees editorial direction, audience engagement, and the integration of SEO-optimized content strategies. Faisal believes in using media as a force for civic awareness and constructive public dialogue.
When he’s not editing stories, he contributes to journalism training, digital literacy advocacy, and research on the evolution of online news consumption in Africa.
Areas of Expertise: Investigative reporting | Digital publishing | Media strategy | SEO | Audience development
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