****Describes obidients as diverse, inclusive Movement
***As LP renames Directorate of Obidients Affairs as Directorate of Mobilization, Integration
As crises continue to rock the Labour Party over the status of the Obidient Movement, the Presidential candidate of the Party in the 2023 General Election, Peter Obi has clarified that the Movement can not be annexed by any political party.
Against the backdrop the fact that the Party had created a directorate for the Obidient Movement for which it appointed eight ‘Obidient’ members to control its affairs Obi said no
Political Party can create a directorate for the Obidient Movement
Obi who is the Principal mentor of the Obidient Movement In Nigeria, indicated that the group is beyond a political party and cannot be so annexed and subsumed in to one.
A statement by his spokesperson Dr Yunusa Tanko quoted Obi to have explained the LP standard bearer wrote in his X handle on Wednesday saying, “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.
“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 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.
The National Publicity Secretary of LP, Obiorah Ifoh had earlier explained the move in creating the directorate to be part of the repositioning efforts of the party towards integrating millions of youths particularly, the ‘Obidient’ family into the Labour Party.
However, while reacting to the new twist as clarified by obi, the party renamed the Obidient Directorate as Directorate of Mobilisation and Integration
Obiora again in a statement said,
“Following the controversies arising from the creation of the Directorate of OBIDIENT Affairs, in the party, the Directorate is hereby renamed the Directorate of Mobilisation and Integration.
“The inauguration will take place on Saturday June 8, 2024 at the party’s National Secretariat, Utako, Abuja by 10 am.