Comrade Isaac Balami, former Deputy Campaign Manager for the Obi/Datti Presidential Campaign, led Obedient leaders and professionals to a meeting with the President’s son, Seyi Tinubu, in Abuja on Friday, where they pledged their support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Balami joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) following the 2023 general elections, claiming a lack of purposeful leadership in the Labour Party.
The former Trade Union Congress (TUC) spokesman officially joined professionals and conveners from various support groups who worked for Peter Obi’s presidential campaign to express solidarity with President Tinubu and vow their commitment to mobilising support for his re-election attempt in 2027.
The meeting was attended by Middle Belt Obedient Movement leaders, North-Central support groups, popular social media influencers, representatives from approximately 100 support groups across the country, professional associations, journalists, pastors, imams, and representatives of Igbo Obedient leaders from both the North and South-East.
In his remarks, Balami outlined the abuses endured by members of the Obedient Movement under the Obi/Datti Campaign Council, providing various examples. He claimed that the gang was now “obediently BATIFIED.”
“It has been exactly three years since I left the Labour Party and my political structure. Throughout that time, we were patient. We feel that now is the moment to work hard for the APC and support President Bola Tinubu’s leadership.
“That is why we have decided to officially unveil our full Obidient structure to you today. These are the persons who cast more than six million votes for Peter Obi in the 2023 presidential election. Today, they have decided to treble that figure and endeavour to deliver 12 million votes to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“Everyone here represents an active political group from various regions of the country. Many worked tirelessly for the Obedient Movement and contributed significantly to Peter Obi’s campaign. Today, however, they have decided to join me in establishing a new political structure within the APC.
“Politics is driven by interests, and based on their experiences in the Obidient Movement, they believe those interests were neither recognised nor protected,” Balami added.
Leaders of several support groups and other Obidients who addressed the meeting claimed that they had been neglected and treated unfairly inside the movement, notably by individuals they worked with during the Obi campaign.
Several of them stated that they will return to their individual villages with a revitalised message of hope to rally support for the APC, encouraging Nigerians to “sweep away papa and mama with the broom.”
The speakers also described the personal sacrifices they made while campaigning for Peter Obi around the country, claiming that they abandoned their families, spent their own resources, and endangered their health, only to receive little credit or thanks for their efforts.