Peter Obi, the former presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), has launched an online registration portal and identity cards for the Obidient Movement, aimed at uniting supporters both in Nigeria and abroad. This initiative, unveiled recently, marks a significant step in formalizing the movement that gained momentum during Obi’s rise ahead of the 2023 presidential election.
In a joint statement, National Coordinator Yunusa Tanko and Director of Strategic Communications and Media Nana Kazaure hailed the portal as a testament to the movement’s resilience and unity. The registration platform, accessible at obidients.com, invites participation from Nigerians and supporters across the globe. Notable features of the ID cards include national flags representing the holder’s country of residence and a QR code for secure identity verification.
“The OBX prefix will be consistent across all ID cards, whether issued domestically or internationally,” the statement explained. “The QR code enables instant verification, fostering trust within the community and enhancing safe interactions among members.”
As the Obidient Movement gains traction, discussions about Obi’s political future are intensifying. Some voices, including former PDP governorship candidate Segun Sowunmi, have urged Obi to consider rejoining the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to bolster its chances in the 2027 elections, citing his significant political profile developed during his time with the PDP.
However, LP leaders urge Obi to remain committed to the Labour Party. In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Dr. Ayo Olorunfemi, the LP’s Deputy National Chairman and candidate for the upcoming Ondo governorship election, advised him to focus on rebuilding the party instead of switching allegiances.
“Leaving now would raise questions about his political convictions,” Olorunfemi stated. He emphasized that Obi should prioritize restoring unity and resolving internal disputes within the LP, highlighting the party’s resilience despite current challenges.
Olorunfemi defended the party leadership under Julius Abure, asserting that they have consistently supported Obi’s presidential ambitions at considerable personal and political expense. “What wrong has Abure committed?” he asked, reinforcing the commitment to a politics free from ethnic bias.
He concluded by asserting that the Labour Party remains a formidable opposition force, with or without Obi, and is poised to continue its fight for democratic values.
