The Obidient Movement has rejected the Labour Party (LP)’s recent establishment of an “Obedient Directorate.” In a statement released on Sunday in Abuja, the movement, represented by Mubarak Bawa of the Obedient Conveners Collective, Barr. Daniel Elomba of the Peter Obi Support Network (POSN), and 37 other leaders, issued a disclaimer against the LP’s decision.
The LP, led by National Chairman Julius Abure, had introduced the Obedient Directorate as part of its repositioning strategy, appointing Marcel Ngogbehei as Director, Aju Elumelu as Deputy Director (Diaspora), and Mariam Ismaila as Deputy Director. This move aimed to reduce tensions and restore confidence among stakeholders. However, leaders of the Obidient Movement viewed the formalization and assimilation of the Directorate as an overreach and an attempt to undermine their grassroots-driven movement.
The statement, titled “We Vehemently Reject Julius Abure’s Attempt to Usurp the Obidient Movement,” emphasized that the Obidient Movement was an autonomous coalition that predates Peter Obi’s entry into the Labour Party. They criticized the LP for failing to protect votes and secure victory in the 2023 elections, rejecting the creation of the Directorate and the appointment of Marcel Ngogbehei, whom they labeled as a discredited figure with a history of corruption.
The movement called on Julius Abure to halt what they described as a “destructive plot” and engage in sincere dialogue with the true stakeholders of the Obidient Movement, including Peter Obi. The leaders of various support groups condemned the LP’s actions as an attempt to control the movement that had revitalized the party, urging for genuine collaboration instead.