Victor EzejaPresidential Candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections, Mr Peter Obi, has opposed the creation of a directorate for the Obidient Movement by the party.
Obi said the Obidient Movement in Nigeria which he is a principal mentor, is beyond party affiliation and cannot be subsumed into a directorate of any political party in the country.
Obi made the clarification against the backdrop of the recent announcement by the Labour Party leadership that it has created an Obidient directorate and appointed some members of the Obidient Movement to pilot affairs of the Directorate.
A statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, said the party has appointed one Mr Marcel Ngogbehei as director, Mr Aju Elumelu as deputy director (Diaspora), and eight others as deputy directors.
The statement said: “As part of the repositioning efforts of the Labour Party towards integrating millions of our youths and particularly, the OBIDIENT family into the larger family of the Labour Party, the following OBIDIENT members have been appointed to pilot the affairs of the OBIDIENT Directorate.”
It listed five main functions of the directorate to include:
“1. To Coordinate the registration of all members of the OBIDIENT community and integrate them fully into the structure of the party.
“2. Ease Diaspora participation in the affairs of the party.
“3. Receive complaints and deal with same and where they are unable to deal with same, refer such complaints to the leadership of the party.
“4. Coordinate collection of dues and donations to the party and ensure that all OBIDIENTS are financial members of the party.
“5. Work closely with the National Youth Leader, National Women Leader, and National Organizing Secretary in order to create programs that will fully and effectively assimilate all members of the OBIDIENT family to the party.”
The party said the inauguration of the Directorate will hold on Thursday, June 6, 2024 (today) at the NEC Hall, of the Labour Party National Secretariat, Utako, Abuja by 10 am.
Reacting to that, Obi in a statement on his X handle on Wednesday, said Obidient Movement is not a directorate of any political party, adding that any individual or individuals claiming to be leaders of the directorate are not members of the Movement.
He explained that membership of the Obidient Movement cut across a political party, sex, tribe, religion or geopolitical zone and that the driving force of the group is creating positive change and building a new Nigeria.
“I like to categorically state that the Obidient Movement is not a directorate in any particular political party. Any individual or individuals claiming to be leaders of this non-existent directorate are simply not members of the broader Obidient Movement,” stated via his official X handle.
Continuing, he said: “There may be a youth mobilization directorate in political parties but the Obidient movement is far beyond a particular political party. The Obidient Movement is a diverse and inclusive collective that transcends traditional political, religious, and ethnic affiliations.
“It is not domiciled within any particular party or headquartered in any particular part of the country. Its membership spans across Africa and the globe, comprising individuals from various backgrounds, including rural communities, and public, private, and corporate entities, united by a shared vision for a New and better Nigeria. Guided by the principles of adaptive and transformative change, progress, discipline, and democratic values, the Obidient Movement advocates for fairness, equity, inclusivity, and justice.
“It is committed to a strictly accountable and responsible code of government. Our members are committed to contributing to the realization of a better future for Nigeria through the New Nigeria project, anchored on loyalty, integrity, and democratic values.”
The former Anambra State governor noted that the Obidient Movement seeks to foster positive change through a commitment to integrity, honesty, and accountability, rejecting deceitful behaviours.
“We serve as a beacon of hope for a reimagined Nigeria, where leadership is grounded in character, capacity, competence, compassion and the well-being of all citizens.
“Let this serve as a clarification that the Obidient Movement operates independently of any political party, and its membership is not limited to any particular affiliation.
“Our focus remains steadfast on driving positive change and promoting a New Nigeria for all. This is who we are and will remain for all time.”
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
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