The African Democratic Congress Coalition has said the Obidient movement will be critical in shaping Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 elections, insisting that many of its members are already embedded in the coalition’s leadership structures.

The Obidient movement emerged in the build-up to the 2023 general elections as a grassroots support base for Peter Obi, who ran on the Labour Party ticket.

The group, largely driven by young Nigerians, urban professionals, and online activists, campaigned vigorously for change and positioned Obi as a credible alternative to the traditional political establishment.

Speaking on Arise Television on Friday, a chieftain of the ADC, Chille Igbawua, said it was misleading to suggest that Peter Obi is detached from the movement or from the coalition’s work.

“They may be thinking that maybe they are better off identifying as the Obedients. But I can assure you that Obedients themselves are not static; they are growing. Don’t you need their Obedience in 2027? We definitely need them. And several of them are in the leadership of the party of the ADC, as I’m speaking to you,” he said.

Igbawua added that some statements from individuals within the Obidient movement may not reflect Obi’s actual position, as the former Labour Party presidential candidate has been fully engaged in the coalition’s activities.

“Sometimes when members of the Obedient make statements, we doubt whether they are consulting him. But Peter Obi has been participating in the process of the coalition right from the beginning until now,” he explained.

He stressed that Obi is not an outsider to the coalition. “The issue is that the vital and critical processes that we are going through, Peter Obi is part of it. He’s part of, you know, the leadership that constituted the reconstituted National Working Committee and NEC.

“And if you have no keen interest in a political party and you are moving your principal persons into their leadership, then I don’t know what else will show us that. He’s not from outside,” he said.

On divisions within the Labour Party, Igbawua noted that the split has also affected the Obidient movement. He said he would not be surprised if some members of the Obidient movement had aligned with a different faction, but stressed that those who stood with Peter Obi were firmly with the ADC.

“We are working with them. The national chairman of the party, of the Labour Party, is with us at meetings every time we meet, along with Peter Obi,” he added.

He also pointed to Obi’s own repeated declarations as proof of his commitment. “I have seen him say in audio and video messages that he is a member of the party and that he is there not just for the purpose of getting a ticket for the presidency. He is there to salvage Nigeria. That is what he has said himself. So I’d rather believe Peter Obi himself, who is at meetings with us, than believe those who were part of his 2023 ambition,” Igbawua stated.

On the coalition’s broader plans, he said strategies are already being developed to prepare for governance. He explained that issues of strategy were not matters to be discussed openly but noted that the coalition understood what it takes to win an election.

According to him, they were working on building a formidable political party and developing a strong and democratic constitution.

“We are working towards a workable manifesto, and we are working towards developing a blueprint for an ADC government. So that when we come into government, we’re not going to start looking left and right, what do we do? Because these are being worked upon. And so we’re coming ready to start to hit the ground running on day one when we take over, you know, governance in Nigeria,” he said. (The PUNCH)