Political commentator and former presidential aide Reno Omokri has openly declared his intention to dismantle the Obidient movement, citing personal threats and a fallout with Peter Obi as the driving forces behind his decision.

Speaking on Breakfast Central on Thursday, Omokri dismissed claims that his opposition to Obi and his supporters stems from a personal vendetta.

Instead, he described his past role in Obi’s political rise and how his disillusionment led him to take a hard stance.

“I took a vow to destroy that movement because Peter Obi was a project of mine,” Omokri stated, recalling his efforts in shaping Obi’s national prominence.

According to him, alongside Senator Ben Murray-Bruce and a former president, he played a key role in securing Obi’s position as Atiku Abubakar’s running mate in the 2019 presidential election.

“I was responsible for Peter Obi becoming the running mate to Waziri Atiku Abubakar in 2019.

“I’ve said this publicly. I’ve got the documents. I’m a meticulous record keeper,” he claimed.

While Obi’s abrupt exit from the People’s Democratic Party without consulting his backers caused some friction, Omokri said the real turning point was the conduct of Obi’s supporters.

“Peter Obi’s movement, Obidients, started attacking me, threatening me, insulting me. That was OK.

“But then they moved from myself to my family. I just had a daughter at that time. There were multiple death threats,” he alleged, revealing that the harassment escalated into real-life encounters.

“They came to my house in the United Kingdom. They trailed my wife and me when we were jogging.

“They found out my jogging route and pursued me, threatening me,” he further alleged.

Omokri said he reached out to Obi, expecting him to intervene.

However, he claimed the former Labour Party presidential candidate refused to denounce a particular individual linked to the threats.

Feeling abandoned, Omokri made a firm decision, saying, “I had to deploy whatever political machinery I have to destroy that movement.”

Ahead of the 2023 elections, the Obidient Movement has vowed to ensure the emergence of leaders such as former Labour Party, LP, presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

The Movement vowed to ensure that competent leaders emerge alongside Obi in 2027.

The National Coordinator of the Movement, Tanko Yunusa, disclosed this via a statement he issued on Tuesday.

The statement reads, “On Wednesday, 12th February 2025, the Obidient Movement took a significant step forward by successfully hosting its first Advisory and Directorate Committees meeting.

“This milestone gathering brought together key stakeholders who reaffirmed their commitment to unity and strategic action in the collective mission to build a new Nigeria.

“The movement has an unwavering commitment to develop and ensure that competent (value-based) leaders such as Peter Obi emerge in our political space as the march towards 2027 general elections.

“The meeting served as a platform for meaningful dialogue, with members aligning on the path forward. Discussions reinforced the importance of organisation, coordination, and active participation to drive the movement’s mission and vision.

“Participants left with a renewed sense of purpose, fully aware of the responsibility ahead and the urgency of action.

“We appreciate all those who have accepted appointments to serve in various directorates and advisory councils, taking on critical roles in shaping the movement’s future.

“We also salute the millions of Obidients across Nigeria and beyond who continue to work tirelessly, mobilising, advocating, and pushing for a better Nigeria every day. Your dedication remains the heartbeat of this movement.

“With renewed energy, the Obidient Movement will continue to strengthening its structures, expanding its reach, and ensuring that every supporter is empowered to play their part.

“This is a collective mission; together, we will deliver the leadership and governance that Nigerians deserve. We encourage all supporters to stay engaged, participate actively, and remain steadfast in their commitment.

“A New Nigeria is within reach if we work for it.”

The coordinator, Obidient Youth Ambassadors, Meche Oswald has uncovered plots by a factional Obedient Movement within the Labour Party (LP) to exit the party and float another political platform.

However Oswald said their exit will not be felt by the party due to the strong forces behind the Labour Party Directorate of Mobilisation and Integration (DMI).

The coordinator, in a statement, said with the current happenings in the Obidient movement, the true intention of those who kicked against the establishment of the DMI has been made public.

Recall that in June 2024, the Labour Party created the Directorate of Mobilisation and Integration and appointed Marcel Ngogbehei as the director general.

Since its creation, the directorate has been able to coordinate the support groups in the party, commanding about 75 per cent loyalty from the groups across the country.

Recently, the directorate set up state coordinators and local government coordinators with the aim to strengthen the party’s grassroots structure ahead of the 2027 elections. And each of those state and LGA structures are continuously recruiting; spreading like wildfire. The Labour Party platform in 2027 will boast of massive numbers of volunteers willing to work and support the Party’s candidates across board,” he added.

Oswald said with DMI’s extensive grassroots presence in every community across Nigeria, it will be extremely challenging for the factionalized Obidient movement to promote any other political platform.

He said the DMI’s strategic and innovative approach has undoubtedly raised LP’s banner as a force to reckon with within the political environment.

“The strong forces behind DMI are, in fact, young formidable members of the Obidient movement, and this poses a significant threat to a faction of the movement who have concluded arrangements to exit the Labour Party for another one that will favor their individual goals.

“I am particularly impressed by the foresight of LP Chairman, Barrister Abure, and DMI Director-General, Marcel Ngogbehei. The reports rolling in from various states are loud and encouraging.

“DMI is a child of destiny and a testimony to visionary leadership. Great leaders have the ability to foresee the future and prepare accordingly; this is exactly what Marcel has done.

“Every malicious attempt to bring LP to disrepute has been effectively neutralized, leaving the gang of traitors confused. They have been fighting tooth and nail to see that the directorate is rendered inoperative because they feel it rivals their goals.

“Instead of coming up with strategic ideas on how to make the faction under their control work, they are preoccupied with dirty plans of how to bring someone else down. I have never seen such a level of callousness being exhibited by humans against others; even animals have a level of soberness.

“We are all witnesses to the numerous complaints that almost weighed down the party. In fact, someone emphatically said the party is dead. Why, then, are certain individuals unhappy that the party they declared dead has now fully resurrected with total reinvigoration?

“The DMI dares to challenge the obstacles on the way of LP, igniting the flame of an intellectual youthful movement that has taken up the challenge to lead in this liberation struggle. This is the dawn of a new era. We should celebrate the birth of the indomitable spirit of DMI, forged in the crucible of struggle. Since its inception, the DMI has not wavered in its mission to fight for the true emancipation of the Nigerian people.

“The young lions are leading from the front, advancing the cause of LP. The DMI recognizes the vital role of our youthful population, and that’s why they are at the forefront of the revolution. The struggle is just getting started. The challenges of today demand even more radical action from our youths. I salute the bold activities of the state directorates of DMI, who are fearlessly championing the cause of the Directorate. They have not only adapted to changing times but have shown that the revolutionary spirit cannot be dimmed.

“I call on the Youth League of the Obidient movement to join us and carry this torch forward with even greater intensity. Let’s deepen the revolutionary role, bring political education to the masses, and ignite the fire of activism in every corner of the country.

“The Youth League must stand as the vanguard of the national democratic revolution, organizing, mobilizing, integrating, and leading with fearlessness. I implore you to keep charging forward. Young lions, the future is yours to seize.

“Fight for your future, fight for your people, and fight for the radical transformation of society. Your generation must carry forward the revolution. Now, more than ever, the country needs a revolutionary; you will lead with courage, vision, and uncompromising determination”, the statement added.