By Peter Omopo
Abuja, August 4, 2025 — Tensions are mounting within the newly formed African Democratic Congress (ADC)-led coalition as the Obidient Movement has formally petitioned Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, over alleged marginalisation in the coalition’s decision-making process.
The protest, detailed in a leaked memo dated July 29 and signed by the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Dr. Tanko Yunusa, accuses coalition leaders of systematically excluding Obi’s loyalists from key meetings and committees, despite their significant contributions to the political alliance.
“We write on behalf of the Obidient Movement to express our severe grievances regarding recent developments within the coalition’s systems. Our people are deliberately excluded at all levels,” the memo reads in part.
The ADC coalition was formally unveiled on July 2, 2025, with prominent political figures including interim national chairman David Mark, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and ex-SGF Babachir Lawal in attendance. It is intended as a unified front to challenge President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
Despite his active involvement in the coalition’s launch, Obi has yet to officially join the ADC. According to interim national publicity secretary Bolaji Abdullahi, both Obi and El-Rufai were granted waivers to retain their membership in their original political parties for the time being.
However, in the leaked document, the Obidient Movement claimed that its members have been “shut out of crucial coalition meetings,” a move it said breeds mistrust and threatens the sustainability of the alliance.
“Several of our designated representatives and members are reportedly being excluded from crucial meetings where major decisions affecting the coalition are made,” Yunusa wrote. “This creates an impression of marginalisation and undermines trust, which is essential for building a sustainable partnership.”
The movement further criticised what it described as “non-existent representation” in the coalition’s structure, arguing that its grassroots influence and mobilisation capacity are not being reflected.
To address the grievances, the Obidient Movement is demanding immediate intervention from Peter Obi and a restructuring of the coalition to include its members.
“We strongly believe there should be at least one working committee member and one non-working committee member representing the Obidient Movement in each geopolitical zone,” the memo stated.
The warning comes amid growing concerns among political observers that internal fractures could jeopardise the coalition’s momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Stakeholders are closely watching how Obi responds to the discontent within his support base, as the unity of the coalition is seen as crucial to mounting a credible challenge to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
