DG of the Obidient Movement Yunusa Tanko Warns Peter Obi Will Abandon Opposition Coalition Without Presidential Ticket

 

Peter Obi, the former governor of Anambra State and presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, has confirmed that he will be on the ballot in the 2027 presidential race. This confirmation came through Dr. Yunusa Tanko, the Director-General of the Obedient Movement, who made the declaration while representing Obi at a public forum.

The event, the 2nd Annual Colloquium in honour of Associate Professor Abdulmumin Yinka Ajia, a former governorship aspirant in Kwara State under the All Progressives Congress, served as the platform for this political revelation. During his remarks, Tanko stressed that Obi’s decision to contest is not contingent on whether he secures the ticket of the recently formed national opposition coalition or not.

Despite ongoing efforts to consolidate a unified opposition front ahead of 2027, divisions appear to be surfacing within the ranks, particularly over the issue of zoning the presidential ticket. The coalition, which has endorsed the Action Democratic Congress (ADC) as its chosen political platform, is now grappling with the sensitive question of regional representation.

Tanko did not mince words when he addressed the matter of zoning. He called on the coalition to respect the principle of equity by rotating the presidency to the southern part of the country. According to him, doing so would promote unity and national cohesion. He argued that the South deserves the opportunity to complete its tenure in the spirit of fairness and balance.

"Why should we have a northerner again when we can easily allow the South to complete their tenure to promote unity and cohesiveness?" Tanko asked, reinforcing the notion that rotating power is essential to Nigeria's democratic health. He further emphasized that such a gesture would strengthen national unity and reduce the growing regional distrust.

The conversation around zoning has intensified since the coalition’s formation. Alongside Obi, other political heavyweights like former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi have expressed interest in running for president. This development has raised questions about whether the coalition can navigate internal ambitions and produce a consensus candidate.

Tanko did not hide his concerns over potential political miscalculations. He warned the coalition against repeating historical mistakes such as the 1993 crisis surrounding the presidential mandate of the late Chief Moshood Abiola. According to him, mishandling the selection of a presidential candidate could once again undermine democratic progress.

While noting that Obi is open to contesting under the coalition if certain terms are met, Tanko stated that his principal remains committed to running for president with or without the coalition's nomination. "Obi has already stated that he will contest in 2027 whether we get the coalition ticket or not. So we are not even contemplating whether or not he will run. But when we get to that level, the platform will be revealed," he affirmed.

The event’s host, Associate Professor Ajia, lent his voice to the growing support for the ADC as a viable opposition platform. He described the party as an independent and credible vehicle, free from the interference of the ruling party. According to him, the only way to rescue Nigeria from its current trajectory is by building a strong and united opposition.

Ajia pointed to the urgent need for leadership that can tackle the socioeconomic challenges plaguing the country. He warned that the continuation of the status quo would only deepen the contradiction of a nation rich in resources but poor in outcomes. A credible opposition, he argued, is essential to challenge the failures of governance and present Nigerians with an alternative vision.

As the 2027 general elections approach, the political climate is already beginning to heat up. The announcement of Peter Obi's determination to run has sparked renewed interest in the opposition coalition’s ability to manage competing ambitions. Whether the coalition can settle the zoning issue without fracturing remains to be seen. However, one thing is now clear: Peter Obi will be a major player in the race for Nigeria’s top office, regardless of the political platform he ultimately stands on.

With calls for regional equity growing louder, and the stakes rising within opposition ranks, the road to 2027 is shaping up to be a defining moment in Nigeria’s democratic journey.