Former Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, has rejected claims that he encouraged members of the Obidient Movement to attack or insult leaders within the opposition coalition, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
Newsonspot reports that Obi made the clarification in a video currently circulating widely on social media, as disagreements continue to grow within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) over emerging presidential ambitions and permutations ahead of future elections.
Confirming the authenticity of the clip, the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Dr Yunusa Tanko, told The PUNCH that the video was taken from an engagement held at the movement’s secretariat on Tuesday.
In the footage, Obi firmly distanced himself from verbal attacks allegedly carried out in his name, insisting that such behaviour does not represent him or the Obidient Movement.
“These are criminals who are not Obidient people. You don’t see anybody calling the other a bad name. You have never seen me call anybody a bad name,” Obi said.
He explained that his political involvement in the ADC is rooted in mutual respect and collaboration, stressing that he does not support name-calling or character attacks.
“We are in the ADC and respect everybody there. But as for calling people bad names, we are not in support of it. I don’t subscribe to it,” he added.
Obi further highlighted his personal and political relationships with several top figures in the coalition, dismissing the idea that he would endorse insults directed at them.
According to him, Atiku and other key stakeholders are individuals he holds in high regard.
“The people I met there, down to the party chairman, are my elder brothers. People like Atiku are my leader and a very respected elder brother. Amaechi is my brother, and we are very close.
So also is El-Rufai… These are my colleagues. So how do I say anything bad about them?” he asked.
Obi warned that some individuals were deliberately using his name to create division and damage his political brand, assuring his supporters that he had not authorised any form of verbal attack.
“Those who are following me, I assure you, will not say anything bad about them. But some elements are trying to do that to hurt the Peter Obi brand,” he stated.
Shifting attention to national priorities, Obi urged politicians and supporters to focus on Nigeria’s major challenges such as insecurity, unemployment, hunger, and the rising cases of kidnappings.
“That is not what we should be doing in politics. Let us talk about out-of-school children, hungry and unemployed Nigerians, insecurity, and how random abduction of people… is occurring. That should be our pre-occupation,” he said.
Meanwhile, reports have indicated that tension has been building within the ADC over Obi’s presidential ambition, especially after he formally joined the party on December 31, 2025, in Enugu, as part of the opposition coalition.
Findings suggest that some ADC leaders, particularly from the North, have expressed displeasure over what they described as the overbearing posture of Obi’s supporters, popularly known as Obidients, who insist he must secure the party’s presidential ticket.
The disagreement has also been fueled by statements from some loyalists, including activist Aisha Yesufu, who publicly declared she would oppose the ADC ticket if Obi accepts a vice-presidential slot.
Similarly, political economist Pat Utomi reportedly warned he would withdraw support if Obi settles for a vice-presidential position.
The growing tension has contributed to hostility between supporters of Obi and those of Atiku Abubakar, prompting Atiku to issue a warning on Tuesday, cautioning both camps against verbal attacks and urging unity within the opposition.
