Obidient Movement Alleges Marginalization in New ADC Coalition, Petitions Peter Obi

Fresh internal tensions have surfaced within the newly formed African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition, with the Obidient Movement accusing the party’s leadership of sidelining its members in key decision-making processes. The ADC, unveiled on July 2, 2025, was established as a united front to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.
In a leaked memo dated July 29, 2025, and addressed to the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Dr. Tanko Yunusa, expressed “severe grievances” over the alleged exclusion. The document, which has been obtained by our correspondent, claims that Obidient members are being “deliberately excluded at all levels” and are not represented in crucial meetings where major decisions are made.
According to the memo, the coalition’s current structure “does not reflect the Obidient Movement’s strength and contribution.” The group is demanding more inclusion, specifically calling for at least one working committee member and one non-working committee member representing the movement in each geopolitical zone.
The development comes just one month after the ADC was officially unveiled with a high-profile gathering of opposition leaders, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and former Senate President David Mark, who was named the interim national chairman. While Peter Obi was present at the unveiling, he has yet to formally join the party. The interim national publicity secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, confirmed that Obi and El-Rufai had been granted a waiver to remain in their legacy parties for the time being.
Dr. Yunusa’s petition urges Peter Obi to intervene swiftly to resolve the matter with the ADC leadership, warning that the rift could undermine the coalition’s success in the 2027 polls. The Obidient Movement, which played a pivotal role in the 2023 elections, is a significant political bloc, and its dissatisfaction could pose a serious threat to the coalition’s ambition of unseating the incumbent government.