As the 2027 general elections approach, the political network surrounding Peter Obi, former Anambra State governor and 2023 presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has experienced a wave of high- profile departures, disagreements, and realignments among key figures from his previous campaign.
The most recent shift involves Dr Yunusa Tanko, the former National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, who defected to the Social Democratic Party (SDP). Tanko accepted an appointment as the Director-General of the Presidential Campaign Council for SDP candidate Prince Adewole Adebayo. Having played a central role in coordinating the Obidient Movement during the 2023 polls, Tanko's move underscores evolving political dynamics within the opposition.
Why are key allies leaving the movement?
A series of departures have brought renewed scrutiny to the changing relationships between Obi and the architects of his 2023 support base. Among those who have transitioned to other political interests or publicly voiced disagreements are former running mate Senator Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, former campaign director-general Dr Doyin Okupe, actor and lawyer Kenneth Okonkwo, former Anambra governorship candidate Valentine Ozigbo, former Deputy Campaign Manager Isaac Balami, Ndi Kato, grassroots mobiliser Serah Ibrahim, and former Director of Finance Dr Peter Agada.
Dr Doyin Okupe, who served as the Director-General of the Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign Organisation in 2023, resigned from the Labour Party in January 2024 due to ideological differences. He subsequently endorsed President Bola Tinubu and noted that his formal political alliance with Obi had concluded.
Kenneth Okonkwo, a prominent legal practitioner and actor who defended the party during the 2023 cycle, also exited the party in 2024. Okonkwo cited dissatisfaction with party leadership and Obi's handling of internal crises, later pitching his tent with Atiku Abubakar of the Action Democratic Congress (ADC).
Similarly, Isaac Balami, former Deputy Campaign Manager, aligned with the All Progressives Congress (APC) in support of President Tinubu. Valentine Ozigbo parted ways with Obi's camp amid differing views on the opposition's strategic direction, while Dr Peter Agada resigned as Director of Finance in March 2026, citing a lack of formal structure before launching a new platform called The Movement Nigeria.
What are critics saying about the leadership structure?
Disagreements and critiques have also emerged from within the broader movement. Ndi Kato, a former campaign council member, publicly questioned Obi's leadership approach following Tanko's defection, arguing that the exit of close associates highlights challenges in relationship management.
Meanwhile, grassroots mobiliser Serah Ibrahim drew attention through her public endorsement of Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde's presidential ambition under the Allied Peoples Movement (APM). Although Ibrahim contributed to Makinde's policy manifesto, the Reset Agenda, she has not formally announced a departure from the Obidient Movement, and Obi previously dismissed rumors of a rift between them.
While these individual political choices reflect changing alignments ahead of the 2027 ballot, political analysts note they do not necessarily equate to a unified rejection of Obi's presidential ambition, as the former governor continues consultations with stakeholders nationwide.