Fresh crisis hits Obidient Movement as director of finance resigns

…says movement lacks coordination, structure

By Frank Ikpefan, Abuja

A fresh crisis has hit the Obidient Movement, the political support group that championed Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, following the resignation of its Director of Finance, Dr. Peter Agada.

Agada cited a lack of structure and coordination as reasons for his departure from the movement.

Agada disclosed this on Wednesday at a press conference in Abuja, where he unveiled a new political platform, The Movement Nigeria, signalling a potential shift in the post-2023 coalition that powered Obi’s presidential bid.

Explaining his decision, Agada told journalists that his resignation was not motivated by grudges.

He said, “I resigned my position as the Director of Finance of the Obidient Movement about three days ago and sent a letter to the headquarters that I was no longer going to continue in that role as a person, based on all the points we’ve mentioned here.

“I’m sorry to say that the lack of structure in Obidient Movement does not fit with my personality, the way I have grown as an architect of repute for the last 30 years.

“They have not been informing me of meetings and activities for a while now. You can imagine a director of finance in an organisation not knowing where or what is happening.”

Despite his exit, Agada declined to state whether he would continue to support Obi or align with other political actors ahead of the 2027 elections, including President Bola Tinubu.

“In essence, we are not supporting one particular person. I said it in my speech earlier. The Movement Nigeria is not built on any personality. It is not for Asiwaju, Obi or Atiku,” he said.

Addressing questions on funding, Agada dismissed suggestions of external sponsorship, insisting that the new movement would rely on collective contributions.

He added, “Any movement that is being bankrolled by an individual can be completely shut down and destroyed by other individuals. This movement is currently being funded by some of us seated here today. The funding structure is a democratised one and not by any big man from somewhere.

“So, there is absolutely nobody funding Movement Nigeria. As a worker, are you happy with your takeover or welfare? If you are not, then you should be part of this movement because it is not funded by a single individual.”

The Obidient Movement, which emerged as a youth-driven political force during the 2023 elections, drew energy from the #EndSARS protests and widespread dissatisfaction with Nigeria’s political establishment.

However, concerns over its organisational depth and sustainability have lingered since the polls.

Reacting to Agada’s resignation, the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, said: “Agada was one of the movement members who formed the structure of the Obidient Movement.” Nobody will use the structure of the movement to push his or her personal ambition.

“We have it on good authority that he wants to run for the Presidency under the Labour Party. This is the election period. Everybody has a right to contest. People shouldn’t use this movement to further their own personal ambition.”