The Obidient Movement has rejected the appointment of Theo Abu Agada, a well known critic of presidential candidate, Peter Obi, as the director of New Media and Strategic Communications for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

The national coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Tanko Yunusa, disclosed this to the Peoples Gazette on Thursday in response to concerns by members over the dangers the appointment of Mr Agada poses for the chances of Mr Obi at the 2027 general elections. 

Mr Yunusa said, “The party appointed that particular person. We’ll now have to inform the party of the activities of that particular fellow, that we do not support somebody who is antagonistic to Peter Obi. We do not, and we can’t support that appointment, because we did not nominate him in the first place.

“When I tell you that we’re not in support of the appointment, that should tell you that we know the danger of that particular person being appointed in that regard. Anybody that will be injurious to Peter Obi, is not from us, and can never be from us.”

Responding to one Karigwe Prophet of Thoughts, who in a statement on Wednesday titled ‘for and on behalf of Obidients, since the leadership of the movement is sleeping,’ also expressed concerns regarding the appointment, Mr Yunusa said though the statement didn’t emanate from him, members also have the rights to express their opinions on activities in the party.

He said, “Every Obidient has the right to notice something that is inimical to the collective survival of our collective interest. It’s not an official statement from us, quite honestly. It’s within people and different groups who are concerned that made those statements.”

Asked if the Obidient Movement had made their position on the issue known to the NDC leadership, Mr Yinusa said, “We’re already discussing with them on this particular matter, and we’ve raised our observation and they are supposed to act accordingly.”

Assuring that the Obidient Movement would still make further comment on the matter, Mr Yunusa said the main focus at the moment was to ensure the party officially submits Mr Obi’s name to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as its presidential candidate, against the efforts of some people who does not want him on the ballot in 2027.

“We’ll respond to all of these but the major concern before us is to ensure that Peter Obi gets the ticket and his name is submitted to INEC accordingly, because there are people orchestrating to ensure that the man doesn’t get to that particular level, they don’t want him to be on that ticket. That should be our focus.”

The NDC national secretary, Ikenna Morgan Enekweizu, did not respond to enquiry from The Gazette on the matter as of the time this report was filed.