2027: Ex-Obi Campaign Leaders Vow to Deliver Opposition States for Tinubu

Former members of Peter Obi’s 2023 presidential campaign have unveiled plans to strengthen President Bola Tinubu’s support base ahead of the 2027 election, with a focus on states won by opposition candidates in the last poll.

The former campaign officials announced their move on Wednesday in Abuja during the formal launch of Batified Obidients, a political movement that has declared support for Tinubu’s re-election under the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The group said it would mobilise former Obidient supporters, undecided voters and other Nigerians to boost the President’s chances of securing a wider victory in 2027.

Speaking with journalists after the launch, the National Coordinator of Batified Obidients, Adesina Fagbenro-Byron, said the movement would concentrate its efforts in areas where opposition candidates defeated Tinubu in 2023.

“In our speech, we said that we mobilised especially in places where opposition to Mr President won,” he said.

Fagbenro-Byron expressed confidence that the group’s grassroots mobilisation would improve the President’s performance in those states.

“To make our impact, to make our impression, and by the special grace of God, the votes that will come this time will be resounding,” he said.

He also predicted a decisive victory for Tinubu, arguing that the margin would leave little room for dispute.

“Tinubu is not just going to win; he’s going to convincingly win so much that going to court will appear as wisdom. Not because anybody has questions for the court, but because the difference will be clear,” he said.

Earlier, the movement’s Deputy National Coordinator and former Head of Logistics of the Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign Council, Fabian Ozoigbo Chukwudoruo, read the keynote address on behalf of Fagbenro-Byron.

The address formally announced the group’s decision to support Tinubu and adopt the APC as its political platform for the next general election.

“We are former Labour Party and Obidient supporters. We are now shifting our support to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and adopting the All Progressives Congress, the APC, as our political vehicle for 2027, under the name Batified Obidients,” the address stated.

The group said its decision followed a review of its experience during the 2023 presidential campaign and the performance of the current administration.

It also pledged to work with APC structures and Tinubu support groups across the country to expand the President’s grassroots appeal.

“We will mobilise our former colleagues, undecided voters, and other Nigerians who desire competent and inclusive governance. We will work to grow the support President Tinubu received in 2023, with special attention to states where his opposition won,” the address stated.

Batified Obidients acknowledged that some former supporters of Obi had aligned with other political parties, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and the Labour Party.

However, the group said it respected their decisions and remained confident that many others would join its new political platform.

“We may not be able to bring every Obidient onto this platform. Some have since moved to the ADC, some to the NDC, and some remain with the Labour Party. We respect their choices and wish them well,” the address stated.

It added that the movement expected to attract a substantial number of former Obidient supporters who shared its new political direction.

The group said it would establish membership and campaign structures nationwide, participate in political rallies and work with other support organisations to advance Tinubu’s re-election bid.