Morris Monye Sounds Alarm on Institutional Rot, Mobilizes Obidients for Grassroots Defense of Democracy

 

A renewed call to action has emerged from the heart of Nigeria’s pro-democracy grassroots movement, as Morris Monye, Interim Director of Mobilization for the Obidient Movement, unveils a sweeping strategy to position volunteers across all polling units nationwide in support of Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi.

Amid widespread frustration over the perceived collapse of institutional integrity in Nigeria, Monye has delivered a forceful message that reframes the 2023 election loss not as an end, but as a turning point. His words, shared across social media and internal Obidient channels, reflect a growing urgency among citizens who see the nation’s electoral and judicial bodies as deeply compromised.

“Let us continue to promote our candidate Peter Obi and strategically position our volunteers across all polling units nationwide,” Monye stated. “We are currently undertaking this initiative on a regional basis.”

The directive is part of a broader shift in strategy within the Obidient Movement — a youth-driven coalition that coalesced around Obi’s candidacy in 2023. Rather than place their hopes in the judiciary or electoral commissions, which many now view with skepticism, Obidients are doubling down on grassroots engagement, civic education, and direct voter mobilization.

What began as a digital phenomenon has evolved into a countrywide organizing force. From urban centers like Abuja and Port Harcourt to remote polling zones in Northern Nigeria, regional coordination teams are actively identifying polling units, recruiting volunteers, and training them in voter protection, data collection, and real-time monitoring.

Monye minced no words about the systemic challenges confronting the country. “It is evident that all institutions have been compromised,” he declared. “The extent of this rot is profound and perhaps not fully understood by you.”

His stark assessment has resonated with supporters who feel disillusioned by the handling of electoral disputes and the sluggish response of oversight bodies to widespread allegations of irregularities. For many, it marks a formal pivot away from institutional dependency toward people-powered oversight.

This transition is not simply rhetorical. The Obidient Movement’s regional rollout includes voter education programs, polling unit mapping, and the establishment of internal reporting channels for the 2027 electoral cycle. The goal is not merely to win an election, but to overwhelm any possibility of electoral malpractice through visible, coordinated, and peaceful presence.

At town halls and community meetings, volunteers are being trained to serve as both mobilizers and monitors — a dual role designed to maximize turnout while minimizing the opportunity for fraud. The hope is that by saturating the ground with prepared citizens, any attempts at manipulation will be either deterred or exposed in real time.

The initiative reflects a deeper belief that Nigerian democracy cannot be reclaimed solely through courtrooms or commissions — it must be reclaimed at the grassroots level, one polling unit at a time.

Supporters describe the movement as both a political campaign and a civic awakening. Digital forums have transformed into local action hubs. WhatsApp groups once used for election-day coordination now serve as training channels for neighborhood organizing. Flyers, training manuals, and digital infographics are being circulated, all aimed at preparing for a fairer, more transparent electoral process.

Despite setbacks and accusations of electoral misconduct during the 2023 election, Monye remains resolute. “We will not be discouraged,” he said during an online strategy session. “We understand now that the path to justice is not paved by compromised institutions but by relentless civic pressure and preparedness.”

The slogan driving this mobilization — “It is POssible” — captures both a play on Peter Obi’s initials and a sense of determined optimism. For supporters, it’s not just a catchphrase but a rallying cry: that through collective organization, civic education, and presence at every level of the democratic process, the dream of a better Nigeria is not lost.

As the movement reorients itself around long-term strategy and regional strength, Morris Monye’s call may mark the beginning of a new chapter in Nigerian political activism — one where power is not begged for, but built from the ground up.