Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, has appointed Dr Yunusa Tanko as the Interim National Coordinator of his Obidient Movement, a global grassroots political organisation. The announcement was made on Tuesday during an X Space engagement, where Obi outlined the rationale behind Tanko’s appointment.
Tanko, who previously served as the spokesperson and media director for the now-defunct Labour Party Presidential Campaign Organisation, brings a wealth of political experience to his new role. In 2015, he chaired the Inter-Party Advisory Council before moving on to the National Conscience Party, where he was the presidential candidate in 2019.
Obi explained that the decision to appoint Tanko was the result of a consensus to zone the leadership position to the North, reflecting the movement’s commitment to inclusivity and national representation. He also cited Tanko’s proven track record and leadership qualities as key factors in the decision.
“Last week, I initiated an X Space discussion to announce the beginning of a series of engagements aimed at establishing a robust structure for the Obidient Movement,” Obi stated. “To drive this process, I formed a team tasked with managing these conversations and holding consultations.”
He continued, “It is essential to have leadership in place as we move forward with this building process. After extensive consultations within the movement and reviewing feedback from Obidients through their submitted ideas, there was a consensus that the position of National Coordinator should be assigned to the North. From the nominations put forward by key stakeholders, Dr Yunusa Tanko emerged as the most nominated candidate for this role.”
Obi emphasized that all current appointments are on an interim basis until the movement’s structure is fully developed. He also called on members to be diligent in their nominations, highlighting the importance of selecting individuals with the competence, character, and capacity to lead. “We have over one million leadership positions to fill as we work to build a Nigeria that works for everyone,” he added, urging thoughtful participation in the process.
