The Obidient Movement Worldwide has urged aspirants and members of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) to accept the realities of internal party competition as the party conducts its primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the movement’s National Coordinator, Yunusa Tanko, appealed for calm, discipline, and unity among party stakeholders as voting begins. He warned that the outcome of the primaries would inevitably produce both winners and losers, and called on participants to prioritise the long-term political objective over individual ambition.
“As we proceed into the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) primaries scheduled for today, May 29, 2026, we, members of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, wish to make a sincere but strong appeal to all NDC party aspirants and members for unity, discipline, maturity, sacrifice, and focus,” Tanko said.
The statement reflects growing internal sensitivity within the opposition-aligned coalition that has been working to consolidate its structure under the NDC platform. The Obidient Movement, which rose to national prominence during the 2023 election cycle, remains a key support base for former presidential candidate Peter Obi and continues to play a coordinating role within the evolving alliance.
Tanko said the convergence of political actors under the NDC was intentional and should not be weakened by internal rivalry or personal political calculations.
“We must remember that our convergence under the NDC is deliberate and strategic,” he said. “Our collective objective is to ensure that the candidature of His Excellency Mr. Peter Obi is on the ballot for the 2027 general elections. We must not allow individual ambition to make us fail in achieving our collective resolve.”
He stressed that the movement’s broader mission extends beyond internal party contests and is rooted in what he described as a desire to reshape governance priorities in Nigeria. According to him, the coalition is driven by principles of competence, accountability, and public service delivery.
“Our mission is to rescue Nigeria through people-oriented leadership built on character, competence, capacity, commitment, and compassion,” he said.
With primaries underway, Tanko acknowledged the competitive nature of internal party politics and cautioned aspirants to prepare for outcomes that may not align with personal expectations.
“As we embark on the NDC party primaries today, we must bear in mind that it will not be possible for all contestants to emerge victorious,” he said. “In every democratic process, winners and losers will emerge. We therefore anticipate that there could be setbacks and pushbacks arising from competing political interests. We must be guided accordingly and demonstrate sportsmanship at all times.”
His remarks highlight concerns often associated with Nigerian party primaries, where disputes over delegate selection, zoning arrangements, and nomination processes frequently trigger post-election tensions.
Tanko further urged aggrieved aspirants to avoid resorting to litigation, advising them instead to make use of internal party mechanisms for dispute resolution. He warned that external legal battles could weaken the coalition’s cohesion ahead of the general elections.
“We want to encourage everyone contesting that any concerns, grievances, or observations arising from today’s exercise should be addressed through the party’s internal mechanisms,” he said. “We must avoid resorting to court litigation, as this is inimical to the progress of our collective resolve.”
He also cautioned that rival political actors were closely monitoring developments within the NDC and could exploit any internal divisions that emerge from the primaries.
“Our political opponents are paying close attention in order to take advantage of any internal party crises we may experience,” he said.
The statement concluded with a call for reconciliation and unity after the primaries, urging all stakeholders to focus on the broader electoral goal of 2027.
“Shortly after the primaries, our attention must be directed toward closing ranks and working together to achieve our collective mission of securing victory in the 2027 presidential elections and building a new Nigeria where the child of nobody can become somebody without knowing anybody,” Tanko said.
