A leaked memo addressed to former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has revealed growing discontent within the Obidient Movement over their treatment in the newly formed coalition led by the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
According to the memo obtained by Punch and dated July 29, 2025, the Obidient Movement, through its National Coordinator Tanko Yunusa, accused the coalition of deliberate exclusion of its members from key decision-making processes — despite their pivotal role in building national support for Obi during the 2023 elections.
“Our people are deliberately excluded at all levels,” the memo read.
“This creates an impression of marginalisation and undermines trust, which is essential for building a sustainable partnership.”
The ADC coalition was officially unveiled on July 2, 2025, with the goal of forming a united opposition to unseat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general election.
Attendees included high-profile figures like David Mark, Atiku Abubakar, Nasir El-Rufai, and Babachir Lawal. Although Obi attended the event, he has not formally joined the ADC, reportedly awaiting further discussions, even as the party granted waivers for him and El-Rufai to remain in their legacy parties temporarily.
In the memo, Yunusa stressed that:
Obidient representatives are being shut out of vital coalition meetings.
No Obidient loyalist has been invited to ADC’s core strategic discussions.
The coalition’s current structure does not reflect the Obidient Movement’s size or impact.
The group is demanding:
At least one working committee member and one non-working committee member from the Obidient camp in each geopolitical zone.
Yunusa urged Obi to intervene quickly, emphasizing the need to resolve the internal discontent in the spirit of the “New Nigeria” the movement continues to champion.
The leak raises questions about the cohesion of the opposition bloc and whether the Obidient Movement — which played a major role in Obi’s 2023 momentum — will maintain its alliance with the ADC if grievances are left unaddressed.
