The Obedient Movement, a prominent political pressure group backing Mr. Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s (LP) presidential candidate in Nigeria’s 2023 general elections, has publicly rebuked Senate President Godswill Akpabio for recent remarks perceived as dismissive of Obi's leadership.
This development follows Akpabio's controversial comment suggesting that Peter Obi, who aspires to lead a nation as vast and complex as Nigeria, has failed to manage internal disputes within his own political party. The Senate President implied that such a failure questions Obi’s capacity to govern at the national level.
In a swift response, the Obedient Movement, through a press release issued on Saturday by its Director of Strategic Communication and Media, Nana Kazaure, accused Akpabio’s party—the All Progressives Congress (APC)—of being the instigator and sustainer of the so-called LP crisis. The group claims that the APC is shielding Julius Abure, the embattled and allegedly illegitimate LP National Chairman, with state-sponsored security despite a Supreme Court ruling invalidating his chairmanship.
Kazaure criticized Akpabio’s remarks as hypocritical, pointing out that the Labour Party’s internal disputes have already been adjudicated in court, with the apex court providing a clear verdict. Rather than obeying the judicial directive, the APC has allegedly chosen to enable Abure’s continued control of the party’s leadership, thereby manufacturing the narrative of crisis.
The Obedient Movement’s statement further questioned Akpabio’s credibility and leadership, branding the 10th Senate under his watch as one of the worst in Nigeria’s legislative history. Kazaure labeled Akpabio as someone lacking discretion in speech and self-restraint in action, accusing him of making "embarrassing" public statements without substance.
"It is deeply ironic and unbecoming for Senator Akpabio to publicly highlight a situation his own party has played a key role in manufacturing and sustaining," Kazaure stated. "There is, in fact, no crisis within the Labour Party. What persists is the shameless interference of the APC in facilitating the illegal tenure of Julius Abure."
The Obedient Movement concluded by reiterating its unwavering support for Peter Obi, praising his leadership and public service record as one that remains untarnished despite ongoing political provocations.
