As former Anambra State Governor and 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi, marked his 64th birthday, the Ebonyi State chapter of the Obidient Movement held a solemn celebration in his honour and used the occasion to urge the African Democratic Congress (ADC)-led coalition to resist the temptation to sell out the 2027 presidential ticket to the highest bidder.
The celebration, which culminated in a thanksgiving mass at the Catholic Pastoral Centre in Abakaliki, was part of a week-long series of events across Ebonyi State, including charity visits to hospitals, leprosy centres, and orphanages.
The movement said the activities were in keeping with Obi’s ideals of humility, compassion, and service to the poor and marginalized.
Addressing the gathering, Comrade Splendour Eze Oko, the Labour Party’s 2023 governorship candidate in Ebonyi State, reaffirmed Peter Obi’s relevance in the country’s political future, describing him as the most credible and prepared figure to rescue Nigeria from economic mismanagement, corruption, and leadership failure.
He warned the new coalition, which included the ADC and other parties exploring a political merger ahead of 2027, to avoid transactional politics that could destroy public trust in the alliance.
“Let me be clear: we, the Obidient Movement, will not support any coalition that treats the 2027 presidential ticket as a commodity for the highest bidder. The hopes of millions of Nigerians cannot be traded. The most qualified candidate is Peter Obi, and the coalition must prioritize credibility over cash,” he said.
Eze Oko also called out the Governor of Edo State over recent controversial remarks on Peter Obi, stating that the Obidient Movement would hold him accountable should any threat emerge against Obi’s safety.
“We are watching. If anything happens to Peter Obi in Edo State or elsewhere, we will hold the governor personally responsible. This is not just politics for us—it’s a movement, a mission to reclaim Nigeria.”
Also speaking, Dr Ezeh Emmanuel Ezeh, a strong pillar of the Obidient Movement's National Advisory Committee, said the global celebration of Obi’s birthday by Nigerians at home and in the diaspora was a testament to the former governor’s credibility, integrity, and enduring connection with the people.
“Peter Obi has become a symbol of hope for the common man. What we did in Ebonyi visiting the sick, the poor, and the orphaned is exactly what he stands for. He is not a man of noise, but of action, discipline, and compassion. That is the leadership Nigeria needs in 2027," Ezeh said.
Other members of the movement, including Barr. Emmanuel Nwobo, a former assistant director in Obi’s 2023 presidential campaign, Labour Party stalwart Mr. Igiri Innocent, and Barr. Adum Solomon, emphasized that any coalition that excludes the Obidient Movement or sidelines Obi would lack legitimacy.
“There is no credible coalition without the Obidients,” said Igiri.
“Remove Peter Obi, and the coalition becomes empty and powerless. We’re not looking to hijack any structure; we want to be at the centre of it. But we won’t accept imposition or compromise," he added.
