By Ayomide Otitoju
The National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, Tanko Yunusa, has declared that the movement will remain within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and accept the outcome of the party’s presidential primary, even if former Vice President Atiku Abubakar emerges as the candidate.
Yunusa made the statement on Thursday during an appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, where he stressed that the Obidient Movement is committed to democratic principles and will conduct its affairs within the framework of the ADC.
According to him, the movement, which supports former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, will participate fully and fairly in the party’s primary alongside other aspirants, including Atiku Abubakar. He expressed confidence, however, that Obi would emerge victorious based on the level of support he commands.
“As democrats, we will go in there and contest equitably well with every contestant based on democratic tenets. We believe that at the end of it all, Mr. Peter Obi will come out on top with the large teaming population that he is bringing into the ADC,” Yunusa said.
When asked what the movement’s position would be if Atiku won the primary, Yunusa said the group would remain loyal to the party. “We will remain in the party and give the party the lease of life it demands democratically,” he stated.
Yunusa noted that the ADC began to gain nationwide prominence following Obi’s involvement, describing the party as a political “vehicle” that was fully activated by the former governor’s entry.
“With all due respect to the ADC, it got its traction when people came around and agreed. The vehicle of ADC kick-started yesterday with one ignition kick, and that is the excitement that His Excellency Mr. Peter Obi has brought to it,” he said.
He added that the Obidient Movement is largely driven by young Nigerians demanding good governance and accountability, noting that millions of supporters are prepared to join the ADC.
“They have made that position known very clearly, and they are going to move in their millions into the ADC. That is an affirmation,” Yunusa said.
The Obidient Movement coordinator also accused the current administration of deploying what he described as “negative executive power” against Nigerians, urging citizens to respond through democratic participation to reclaim the country.
Yunusa confirmed that several prominent political figures attended a recent political gathering in Enugu and endorsed the movement’s alignment with the ADC. These, he said, included former governors, senators, members of the House of Representatives, and past principal officers of the National Assembly.
He specifically confirmed that former APGA National Chairman and Senator representing Anambra South, Victor Umeh, has joined the ADC, noting that Umeh served as Master of Ceremonies at the Enugu event and played an active role.
“He was even the one who asked that a motion be moved to an affirmative position for everybody in the hall, and it was affirmed in one sweep,” Yunusa said.
He also disclosed that Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe has officially defected to the ADC, adding that more high-profile defections are expected in the coming weeks as supporters continue to collect ADC membership cards.
Yunusa maintained that the Obidient Movement’s expanding presence at home and abroad positions it as a major political force within the ADC ahead of future elections.
