The National Coordinator of the Organised Obidient Movement has praised former Anambra State Governor and 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, for his humility and commitment to education after he rejected a luxury wristwatch valued at ₦300 million.
In a passionate address, the coordinator recounted that Obi described the expensive watch as “too heavy” for him to wear and directed that it be sold so the proceeds could support the education of Nigerian children.
“That is greatness,” he declared, drawing applause from the audience.
The coordinator also commended other notable figures present at the event. He praised His Excellency, Engineer Rabi Musa Konga (Congress), describing him as a man of few words but decisive action. Noting that they hail from the same state, he highlighted Konga’s transformative leadership, which he said has turned the state into “a heaven where children of nobody become somebody” through investments in education, security, and human capital development.
He equally lauded “Galadima,” describing him as a committed leader who “has almost paid the ultimate price” and “seen death and reincarnated” in the struggle for a better Nigeria. Other dignitaries recognised included Dr Professor Sam Amadi, noted for his intellectual depth and long-standing commitment to national development, and Mr Moshood Ashaju, who was represented at the event and praised for his unwavering dedication to the interests of Nigerians.
One Year of Structured Mobilisation
The speaker announced that he was nominated and inaugurated as National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement on 3 September 2024. Within just over a year, the movement has successfully established a robust national structure:
- National leadership comprising representatives from all states (approximately 60+ leaders).
- State coordinators in all 37 states (including the FCT).
- Local Government coordinators totalling 2,322 (33 per local government area).
He emphasised that these structures are not virtual but physical and verifiable on the ground across Nigeria. The gathering, he said, was partly meant to prove to sceptics that the movement now possesses strong organisational structures, contrary to claims made during the 2023 elections.
Candidate Screening and the Five Cardinal Principles
The coordinator revealed that the movement plans to screen all prospective candidates wishing to contest elections on its platform. This is aimed at preventing a repeat of the 2023 experience, when some individuals “ran with Peter Obi and also ran away” after the election.
He stressed that Peter Obi is not issuing blanket endorsements at this stage but is committed to supporting only credible candidates who will remain loyal.
Any aspirant, he said, must possess Peter Obi’s five cardinal qualities: Capacity, Competence, Character, Credibility, and Compassion.
Call for Unity and Grassroots Action
The leader urged Nigerians to reject divisive politics and return to the spirit of national unity. He painted a picture of the Nigeria he wants to restore — one where citizens of different faiths and ethnicities live harmoniously, sharing meals during festivals like Christmas and Salah.
He called on supporters to shift from online activism to physical grassroots mobilisation:
“Election is not won on social media. It is physical. Start from your family… Go back to your villages. Go back to your polling unit. Build a cell group.”
With each polling unit having roughly 500 voters, he encouraged supporters to secure at least 200 votes per unit, projecting that this could deliver 17–20 million votes for Peter Obi and aligned candidates.
The event ended with a renewed commitment to building a “New Nigeria” through credible leadership, strong structures, and unwavering loyalty to the cause.
