National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Yunusa Tanko, has said Nigerians and supporters of Peter Obi are patiently waiting for the former Anambra State governor to personally announce the political platform on which he will contest the 2027 presidential election, stressing that the decision will be made public by Obi himself “very, very soon”.
Tanko made the remarks during an interview with a ARISE News on Tuesday, following Obi’s declaration of his intention to run for president in 2027.
According to him, Obi’s decision to declare early followed wide consultations with supporters, associates and the general public, a leadership style he described as rare in Nigerian politics.
“As a leader who believes in the movement and the beliefs of the people, he decided to consult widely,” Tanko said. “He starts with his inner caucus, goes back to his roots, discusses with his people, lets them talk and listens to their voices.”
He added: “He went again to the general public, where his strength is on social media. He spoke to all of his people, telling them, ‘I’m here, I’m your leader, you can ask me questions.’ This is very rare in leadership in Nigeria.”
Tanko contrasted Obi’s approach with what he described as the norm among political leaders.
“Most leaders in Nigeria only decide and then ram it down the throat of the people,” he said. “But here is somebody who believes in the mindset of his people, consulting them before coming out with a position.”
On intense speculation over whether Obi would contest on the platform of the Labour Party or the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Tanko declined to make a definitive statement, saying Obi would personally address the issue.
“You can see me smiling because a lot of people are waiting for Obi to make a decision,” he said. “That means he is wanted in Nigeria and around the world. That is a very valuable asset.”
Tanko confirmed that Obi was working closely with a coalition that had produced a political party but maintained that the former governor would announce his final decision at his own time.
“He made it clear that he has been part of a coalition, and that coalition has produced a political party,” he said. “So whenever he is going to make his own pronouncement, it is going to be something everybody will be glad and happy about.”
He added: “Mr Peter Obi will make his pronouncement very, very soon.”
Responding to questions about Obi’s party membership and whether he had formally resigned from the Labour Party, Tanko said Obi was an unconventional politician who did not believe in political “paraphernalia”.
“An unconventional politician like Mr Peter Obi can just decide quietly to take up a party ticket,” he said. “He doesn’t go with the fanfare the way contemporary politicians do, wasting so much money trying to galvanise people.”
Tanko insisted that all formal processes would be carried out publicly at the appropriate time.
“He does things publicly,” he said. “When he is going to do it, everybody will see it. So please be patient. Mr Peter Obi will do what is necessary in the interest of the Nigerian people.”
On reports that Obidient lawmakers were set to defect to ADC, Tanko said speculation was driven by intense public interest in Obi.
“People speculate a lot of things because of the kind of interest they have in the person of His Excellency Mr Peter Obi,” he said. “When the time is right, he will unveil and answer the question himself.”
Addressing the possibility of Obi running as a vice-presidential candidate to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Tanko dismissed the idea, citing Obi’s own words.
“He said he did not go around the world to become a vice president,” Tanko said. “He went around the world to learn so that he can be number one — to be the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
He added: “As far as we are concerned, we are interested in running for the presidency, and anywhere Mr Peter Obi goes, we the Obidient will go with him.”
On Obi’s chances against the incumbent APC administration in 2027, Tanko expressed strong confidence.
“Let me be modest — he has a very fantastic chance,” he said. “This is somebody who was not given any chance in 2023 and still ended up with what we believe was a winning election.”
He argued that Obi was now leading a more organised and widespread movement at a time of deep national discontent.
“Nigerians are tired,” Tanko said. “They are looking for somebody who has the capacity, the consistency, the credibility and the character to turn around the fortunes of Nigeria.”
He cited economic hardship, insecurity and what he described as growing international disrespect for Nigeria as factors working in Obi’s favour.
“Insecurity in the land, complete decay in the system, disdain and disrespect for the Nigerian people,” he said. “This has reached a level of total disrespect. Nigerians will make the calculation themselves.”
Tanko also criticised the wave of defections to the ruling APC, alleging coercion and intimidation.
“These are defections of people who are being coerced, intimidated and disconnected from their people,” he said. “The gale of defection you are seeing does not come from the heart of the people.”
He warned that public anger was growing.
“The people are hungry. They are disillusioned. They feel fingers are being put in their eyes,” he said. “The time is coming when they will use their ballot paper.”
Looking ahead to 2027, Tanko said the election would be a referendum on hardship, governance and the survival of democracy.
“It will be a vote against policies that have put Nigerians in perpetual poverty,” he said. “People will look for those ready to change the narrative.”
He concluded by warning that Nigeria’s democratic institutions were under severe threat.
“Our institutions have been deliberately weakened,” Tanko said. “But one thing is certain — the people will rise to defend democracy. It will not happen again that power is imposed against the will of the people.”
Boluwatife Enome
About the Author
