Peter Obi, Kwankwaso Movements driven by principle, not betrayal – Obidient Movement

Michael Olumide

National Coordinator, Obidient Movement Worldwide, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, has attributed the wave of political realignments within Nigeria’s opposition bloc to deep internal crises, alleged infiltration of political parties, and prolonged legal disputes, which he says are weakening opposition cohesion ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking during an interview on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM in Ilese Ijebu, Ogun State, Dr. Tanko said the current political shifts are not isolated incidents but symptoms of a broader structural instability affecting nearly all opposition parties.

He argued that persistent internal conflicts, leadership tussles, and court cases have made it difficult for political platforms to maintain stability, forcing key actors to constantly reassess their positions.

According to him, opposition parties are operating under sustained pressure that undermines long-term planning and unity.

“It was very evidently clear that the government of the day had infiltrated most of the political party, you saw what happened to the Labour Party and what is happening to the Social Democratic Party (SDP),” he said.

He referenced internal disputes in the Labour Party and tensions within the Social Democratic Party (SDP) as examples of what he described as a widening pattern of instability across opposition structures.

Tanko also pointed to repeated legal battles affecting opposition movements, arguing that such disputes often disrupt party organisation and weaken candidates ahead of elections.

He maintained that the emergence of coalition arrangements and political realignments was a survival strategy rather than opportunism, driven by the need to escape unstable platforms.

Tanko further addressed recent coalition developments involving key political figures, arguing that frequent party changes by leading opposition actors are often responses to structural dysfunction rather than personal ambition.

He defended the political trajectory of Mr. Peter Obi, insisting that his movements across political platforms reflect principle-based decisions rather than betrayal.

According to Tanko, Obi has consistently exited political parties when internal structures become compromised or overly transactional.

He linked Obi’s past political transitions from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and later to the Labour Party, as well as subsequent alignments with other platforms, to recurring internal disputes and lack of cohesion.

He also referenced Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, noting that his multiple party movements were similarly driven by internal party conflicts and leadership disagreements.

Kwankwaso has, over the years, moved between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the All Progressives Congress (APC), and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), before aligning with evolving opposition coalitions.

Tanko said such movements reflect a broader struggle within opposition politics to find stable and functional political platforms capable of sustaining presidential ambitions.

The Obidient Movement leader also blamed prolonged litigation for deepening instability within opposition parties, saying court cases have increasingly become instruments that paralyse political structures.

He cited disputes affecting coalition platforms and leadership structures, arguing that legal uncertainty has made political participation risky.

Tanko further referenced tensions within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), noting that internal leadership struggles and court cases had disrupted early coalition arrangements.

He also mentioned factional disputes within the Social Democratic Party (SDP), including leadership disagreements involving party chairman Shehu Gabam and rival factions.

According to him, such parallel leadership claims and court interventions reflect a deeper systemic crisis affecting opposition readiness ahead of elections.

He warned that no serious political contender would willingly operate under conditions where candidacy legitimacy could be challenged at any stage.

Tanko also referenced broader political dynamics involving past administrations, including former President Goodluck Jonathan, and tensions involving political actors such as former Lagos State governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the context of alleged party infiltration narratives.

He maintained that opposition instability is not limited to one party but reflects a national pattern affecting multiple political formations.

On criticisms suggesting political inconsistency or “party hopping,” Dr. Tanko strongly defended Obi, rejecting claims of betrayal.

He insisted that Obi’s decisions are guided by principle, structure, and the need for transparent internal processes.

“Mr Peter Obi has shown his interest in running for elections as a presidential candidate. If the process is not clearly stipulated, then people become suspicious of each other,” Tanko said.

He added that Obi has contributed significantly to party-building efforts across platforms and only opts for alternatives when internal processes become unstable or compromised.

Tanko concluded that the ongoing political realignments within Nigeria’s opposition space are largely driven by systemic instability, legal uncertainty, and internal party crises rather than personal ambition.

He maintained that coalition-building has become a necessity for survival in Nigeria’s evolving political landscape, especially as opposition actors prepare for the 2027 general elections.