Olusegun ARIYO
The Obidient Movement has said only politicians afraid of accountability would call its members “divisive.”
Tanko Yunusa, the National Coordinator of the movement, said efforts to describe its members as “divisive” mischaracterise both its origins and its objectives.
Yunusa said the movement did not arise from extremism or intolerance.
In a statement he signed, Yunusa said the movement emerged in “response to prolonged poor governance, rising poverty, weakening public institutions, and a political system that many Nigerians felt excluded from decision-making.
“Large numbers of citizens—particularly young people—became politically active not to fracture the nation, but out of frustration with recycled leadership and unfulfilled promises.”
Yunusa said the participation of Obidients in the African Democratic Congress, ADC, coalition reflects this same impulse.
“Political coalitions are designed to bring together diverse ideas, promote debate, and construct broader alternatives. Membership in such alliances does not demand silence or unquestioning loyalty.
“Instead, it requires engagement, scrutiny, and accountability. A coalition that is uncomfortable with critical voices raises questions about its readiness to govern a complex society like Nigeria,” he said.
He added, “Political passion, in itself, is not a vice. In established democracies, reform-oriented movements are often vocal because they are driven by conviction rather than patronage.
“Nigeria’s political history includes far more aggressive and exclusionary followings that were widely tolerated or even celebrated. The selective criticism of Obidients today suggests unease with accountability rather than a genuine concern for national unity.
“It is also inaccurate to present the Obidient Movement as a monolithic bloc. Its supporters include professionals, traders, students, civil servants, and Nigerians from different regions and religious backgrounds, bound by shared demands for transparency, competence, and accountable leadership.
“Disagreement with political opponents does not equate to hatred, and challenging the status quo should not be conflated with division.”
