Obidient Movement Hits Back at Sowore - “You Call Peter Obi Irrelevant Yet Can’t Stop Talking About Him”

 

The National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Yunusa Tanko, has come out strongly against recent remarks made by Sahara Reporters founder and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore. Speaking in a phone interview with Channels Television on Sunday, Tanko accused Sowore of persistently using Peter Obi’s name as a tool for remaining in the spotlight.

Tensions flared after Sowore publicly criticized Obi, suggesting the former Anambra State governor had failed to establish himself as a credible opposition figure in Nigeria’s political space. But Tanko quickly rebuffed the claim, asserting that Obi remains a central figure whose relevance in national politics cannot be rivaled.

Highlighting Obi’s constant presence in public discourse, Tanko argued that his influence cuts across all segments of the population and political class. He questioned the motives of Obi’s detractors, pointing out the irony in their frequent mention of a man they claim lacks opposition value.

“So, the question we want to ask is this: when someone is not a worthy opposition, why do you keep talking about him?” Tanko asked rhetorically. “As we stand today in Nigerian politics, if they don’t talk about Peter Obi, none of them gets traction. None. Whether he goes to the toilet, speaks, or makes a statement, it becomes news. That’s the level of Peter Obi’s relevance in today’s political dispensation.”

Tanko’s sharp words reflect growing frustration among supporters of Obi, who feel the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate has been unfairly targeted by both rivals and political elites. According to the Obidient Movement, the attention focused on Obi—even in moments unrelated to governance—serves only to underscore his towering presence in Nigeria’s political narrative.

Further intensifying his critique, Tanko took issue with Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who recently made disparaging remarks about Obi during a valedictory session in honor of the late elder statesman Edwin Clark. Tanko viewed the comment as unwarranted and illustrative of the political class’s discomfort with Obi’s continued resonance among the populace.

“To a point that Peter Obi was discussed at a valedictory service by no less a person than the Senate President, not even on national policy, but on character assassination. That says a lot,” Tanko remarked.

He called on political opponents to steer their energy toward their own political aspirations rather than dwelling on Obi’s every move. Emphasizing the mission of the Obidient Movement, Tanko reiterated their commitment to supporting Obi’s vision for a new Nigeria—one rooted in accountability, equity, and service.

“They should allow Peter Obi to continue doing what he’s doing — challenging the establishment for the interests of the Nigerian people, which he will continue to do, and which we will continue to support,” Tanko declared.

For many within the Obidient Movement, Obi represents a departure from traditional politics and a beacon for transformative leadership. Despite not clinching victory in the last election, his message has inspired a significant portion of the electorate, particularly young Nigerians who feel left behind by decades of governance failure.

The ongoing verbal exchanges between figures like Sowore and Obi’s supporters reflect deeper ideological divides within Nigeria’s opposition landscape. While some believe the focus should be on building collaborative alternatives to the ruling establishment, others appear locked in a contest of relevance, each seeking to claim the mantle of true opposition.

As the country inches closer to another election cycle, the struggle for dominance among opposition figures is only expected to intensify. But if Tanko’s remarks are any indication, the Obidient Movement remains steadfast in its belief that Peter Obi continues to be the heartbeat of that resistance—and a force that rivals simply cannot ignore.