2027: NDC in disarray 

A group of supporters under the banner of the Obidient Movement has rejected the appointment of Theo Abu Agada as Director of New Media and Strategic Communications of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), describing the decision as an affront to the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and his supporters.

In a statement signed by Karigwe, who identified himself as the “Prophet of Thoughts” and said he was speaking on behalf of Obidients, the group accused the NDC leadership of disregarding the interests of the movement by appointing an individual they claimed had a history of making critical remarks against Obi and his supporters.

The statement alleged that Agada had, on several occasions, publicly criticised Obi and members of the Obidient Movement, questioning the former Anambra governor’s leadership qualities and making comments that the group considered offensive.

According to the group, the appointment sends the wrong signal to millions of Nigerians who have identified with the Obidient Movement, which they described as being founded on the principles of competence, accountability, justice and people-centred governance.

The group argued that no political party that genuinely values the support of Obi and his followers should elevate an individual perceived to have been hostile to the movement into a strategic communications role.

It further expressed concern over what it described as a recurring pattern of disrespect towards the Obidient Movement across political platforms associated with Obi.

The statement also questioned the role of Tanko Yunusa, identified as the leader of the Obidient Movement, asking him to explain why such developments had continued to occur without any apparent intervention from the movement’s leadership.

“The Obidient Movement cannot continue to be treated as a crowd for rallies, online engagement and political optics, while those who openly insult the movement are put in strategic positions,” the statement said.

The group subsequently issued a number of demands to the NDC leadership, including the immediate reversal of Agada’s appointment and a public explanation of the process that led to his emergence as Director of New Media and Strategic Communications.

It also called for a formal apology to Peter Obi and members of the Obidient Movement, as well as assurances that individuals with what it described as a public record of hostility towards Obi and his supporters would not be appointed into sensitive communication positions within the party.

In addition, the group demanded that Yunusa provide a detailed explanation of his role as leader of the Obidient Movement and address concerns over what it termed repeated acts of disregard for the movement’s interests.

The NDC leadership and the individuals mentioned in the statement had not responded to the allegations at the tim

e of filing this report.