*Insists Obidients Is Diverse, Inclusive Movement
THE presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in last year’s general elections, Mr. Peter Obi, has asserted that the Obidient Movement cannot be annexed by any political party.
Speaking on the statusof the Movement, following LP’s creation of a directorate for the Movement and appointment of eight ‘Obidient’ members to run its affairs, in the festering crises within the party, Obi insisted that no political party can create a directorate for the Movement, of which he is the principal mentor, saying that the group is beyond a political party and cannot be so annexed and subsumed into one.
According to a statement by his spokesperson, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, Obi wrote on his X handle: “I like to categorically state that the Obidient Movement is not a directorate in any particular political party.
“Any individual or individuals claiming to be leaders of this non-existent directorate are simply not members of the broader Obidient Movement.
“There may be a youth mobilisation directorate in political parties, but the Obidient Movement is far beyond a particular political party. The Obidient Movement is a diverse and inclusive collective that transcends traditional political, religious and ethnic affiliations.
“It is not domiciled within any particular party or headquartered in any particular part of the country. Its membership spans across Africa and the globe, comprising individuals from various backgrounds, including rural communities, public, private and corporate entities, united by a shared vision for a New and better Nigeria.
“Guided by the principles of adaptive and transformative change, progress, discipline and democratic values, the Obidient Movement advocates for fairness, equity, inclusivity and justice.
“It is committed to a strictly accountable and responsible code of government. Our members are committed to contributing to the realisation of a better future for Nigeria through the New Nigeria project, anchored on loyalty, integrity and democratic values.”
He added: “The Obidient Movement seeks to foster positive change through a commitment to integrity, honesty and accountability, rejecting deceitful behaviours.
“We serve as a beacon of hope for a reimagined Nigeria, where leadership is grounded in character, capacity, competence, compassion and the well-being of all citizens.
“Let this serve as a clarification that the Obidient Movement operates independently of any political party and its membership is not limited to any particular affiliation.
“Our focus remains steadfast on driving positive change and promoting a New Nigeria for all. This is who we are and will remain for all time.”
Recall that the National Publicity Secretary of LP, Obiorah Ifoh, had earlier rationalised the move to create the directorate as being part of the repositioning efforts of the party towards integrating millions of youths, particularly the ‘Obidient’ family, into LP.
But following Obi’s position, the party renamed the Obidient Directorate as Directorate of Mobilisation and Integration.
Obiora, in another statement, said: “Following the controversies arising from the creation of the Directorate of OBIDIENT Affairs in the party, the Directorate is hereby renamed the Directorate of Mobilisation and Integration.
“The inauguration will take place on Saturday June 8, 2024, at the party’s national secretariat, Utako, Abuja by 10 am.”
