“Presidency or Nothing”: Obidient Movement Rules Out VP Role for Peter Obi

The Obidient Movement has clarified that its support for Peter Obi, former governor of Anambra State, is exclusively for his presidential candidacy and not for any vice-presidential position in the 2027 elections.

The statement, released Saturday, came in response to what the group described as “deliberate misrepresentations” following comments by its National Coordinator, Dr. Tanko Yunusa. Yunusa had recently told *Channels Television* that the movement would remain in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and respect the outcome of the party’s presidential primary, even if former Vice President Atiku Abubakar secured the nomination.

“As democrats, we will contest fairly within the ADC, and we believe Peter Obi will emerge on top given the large support he brings to the party,” Yunusa said during the interview.

The remarks had sparked speculation that Obi’s move to join the ADC might involve a potential vice-presidential arrangement with Atiku. The Obidient Movement strongly rejected this interpretation.

“Our attention has been drawn to deliberate misrepresentations and malicious propaganda arising from Dr. Yunusa’s interview,” the group said in a statement titled *‘The Peter Obi Presidency: A Joint Project of All Nigerians.’*

Describing itself as “an organic, nationwide, and values-driven democratic movement,” the Obidient Movement emphasized that its sole mission is the election of Peter Obi as President through lawful and democratic means.

“Let it be stated clearly and without ambiguity: the Obidient Movement is not mobilised to support Mr. Peter Obi as a vice-presidential candidate to anyone. Our support is exclusively for his emergence as President of Nigeria,” the statement read.

While acknowledging its current activities within the ADC, the group stressed its loyalty is to Obi’s leadership vision, not the party. It added that it would respect a transparent and credible ADC primary but would take a “united, lawful, and democratic decision” if the process were compromised.

The clarification follows comments by Obi ally Professor Pat Utomi, who said he might withdraw support if Obi accepted a vice-presidential role.