Obidient Movement Raises Alarm Over Marginalisation in ADC Coalition, Urges Peter Obi to Intervene

Barely a month after the unveiling of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as the umbrella coalition for opposition forces aiming to unseat President Bola Tinubu in 2027, a leaked memo has revealed growing tensions within the bloc. The internal memo, addressed to former presidential candidate Peter Obi and signed by Tanko Yunusa, National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, accuses the ADC leadership of systematically marginalising members of the movement in critical decision-making processes.

The memo, dated July 29, 2025, and obtained by The Punch, signals a potentially damaging rift within the alliance that many Nigerians had hoped would present a united and credible alternative to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the upcoming general elections.

D’Tigress Make History With Fifth Straight AfroBasket Title After Defeating Mali

Cracks Within the Coalition

The ADC-led coalition was officially launched on July 2, 2025, in Abuja, drawing a politically diverse crowd of high-profile figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai, ex-Secretary to the Government of the Federation Babachir Lawal, and Peter Obi himself. Despite his presence at the event, Obi has yet to formally join the party. The ADC’s interim national publicity secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, previously stated that waivers had been granted to Obi and El-Rufai to remain in their legacy parties—the Labour Party and the APC, respectively—for the time being.

However, this arrangement now appears to be creating internal friction. The Obidient Movement, widely credited with galvanizing millions of young Nigerians in support of Obi’s 2023 presidential run, says it is being excluded from strategic roles and ignored in the structural framework of the coalition.

Obedient Memo: A Call for Inclusion

In the explosive memo, Tanko Yunusa outlined several grievances. Chief among them was the claim that none of Obi’s supporters or movement representatives had been involved in key policy discussions or included in the party’s strategic committees.

“We write on behalf of the Obidient Movement to express our severe grievances regarding recent developments within the coalition’s systems,” the memo began. “Our people are deliberately excluded at all levels.”

Yunusa emphasised that the exclusion was eroding trust and could compromise the shared vision of the coalition. He noted that despite the Obidient Movement’s grassroots strength, national reach, and electoral value, its representatives had not been offered any role in shaping the coalition’s structure or policy direction.

“Several of our designated representatives and members are reportedly being excluded from crucial meetings where major decisions affecting the coalition are made. This creates an impression of marginalisation and undermines trust, which is essential for building a sustainable partnership,” Yunusa stated.

He further lamented the absence of any meaningful representation of the Obidient Movement within the ADC coalition’s working committees, describing it as “non-existent.”

Obedients Demand Structural Reform

The memo proposed immediate steps to rectify the perceived imbalance. Yunusa called on Peter Obi to personally engage with the ADC leadership to address the concerns of his supporters. He urged that at least one working committee member and one non-working committee member representing the Obidient Movement be appointed in each geopolitical zone of the country.

“This will ensure our voices are heard and our contributions duly acknowledged,” the memo noted. “We believe these measures are crucial to building trust and repositioning the coalition for success.”

Yunusa concluded the memo with an appeal to Obi, urging him to use his influence and moral authority to prevent the coalition from becoming yet another elitist project disconnected from the masses.

“We look forward to you resolving this with the party leadership in the spirit of the new Nigeria we want to build,” he wrote.

Implications for the Coalition

This latest development raises serious questions about the unity and sustainability of the ADC-led coalition. The Obidient Movement, with its broad base of support among Nigeria’s youth, civil society, and diaspora communities, is considered a crucial asset in any serious challenge to the APC. Analysts warn that sidelining this group could alienate a vital demographic and weaken the coalition’s appeal.

Moreover, the failure to integrate the Obidient Movement could deepen existing ideological differences within the alliance. While the ADC is attempting to position itself as a progressive alternative, its ability to accommodate diverse political interests—including those of influential grassroots movements—will be key to its survival.

The Ball in Obi’s Court

All eyes are now on Peter Obi. As a central figure in the coalition and the de facto leader of the Obidient Movement, his next move could either calm the rising tension or deepen the divide. Whether he chooses to fully align with the ADC, renegotiate the terms of partnership, or consider an alternative political platform altogether remains to be seen.

What is certain, however, is that the coalition cannot afford to ignore the discontent brewing among the Obidients. As the 2027 election looms, internal unity may prove just as crucial as public support in the battle for Nigeria’s presidency.