By Harry Awurumibe, Editor, Abuja Bureau
A political pressure group, the Obidient Movement has responded to a statement made by Kogi-born former member of the Nigerian Senate Dino Melaye about the former presidential candidate of Labour Party Peter Obi.
In statement titled “A RESPONSE TO SENATOR DINO MELAYE: THE CASE FOR A PETER OBI PRESIDENCY IS A CASE FOR A NEW NIGERIA”, the group said that the assertion that Obi “lacks the ability to unify Nigeria” and that “this is not his time” is a profound misreading of the Nigerian political landscape and a disservice to the millions of Nigerians who have embraced Mr. Obi’s vision for a new, united, and productive nation.
The statement read: “We have taken note of the recent comments made by former Senator Dino Melaye regarding the presidential aspirations of Mr. Peter Obi.
While we appreciate his acknowledgement of Mr. Obi as a “fantastic Nigerian” and a “great man,” his subsequent assertion that Mr. Obi “lacks the ability to unify Nigeria” and that “this is not his time” is a profound misreading of the Nigerian political landscape and a disservice to the millions of Nigerians who have embraced Mr. Obi’s vision for a new, united, and productive nation.
Senator Melaye’s argument is a tired refrain from a political establishment that has long presided over the very divisions it now claims to be the sole solution for. The notion that a candidate’s “time” is something to be determined by political gatekeepers, rather than by the urgency of a nation’s needs, is precisely the thinking that has held Nigeria captive for decades. The question is not whether it is Peter Obi’s time but whether it is time for Nigeria to finally break free from the cycle of failed leadership, economic stagnation, and disunity. For a vast and growing movement of Nigerians, the answer is an unequivocal yes.
THE UNIFIER: A TRACK RECORD OF BUILDING BRIDGES
The most perplexing of Senator Melaye’s claims is that Mr. Obi can not unify Nigeria. This statement flies in the face of overwhelming evidence. The 2023 presidential election was a watershed moment in Nigerian history ; not for its contentious outcome, but for the unprecedented, cross-regional, and multi-ethnic coalition that coalesced around Mr. Obi’s candidacy. The “Obidient” movement is, by its very nature, the most potent unifying force in recent Nigerian politics.
The Obidient Movement A grassroots, youth-driven movement that transcended ethnicity, religion, and geography. Massive, voluntary marches were held in cities across the North, South, East, and West, from Kano to Port Harcourt, from Lagos to Makurdi.
Electoral Victories Mr. Obi, an Igbo man, achieved a historic victory in Lagos State, the commercial heart of the Yoruba-dominated Southwest. He also won the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja ,the nation’s diverse and symbolic center. These were not the actions of a divisive candidate.
Inclusive Ticket His choice of Senator Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, a respected academic and politician from the North, as his running mate was a deliberate and clear signal of his commitment to a balanced and inclusive government that reflects the true face of Nigeria.
To suggest that a man who has inspired such a broad-based and organic national movement lacks the ability to unify is to ignore the facts on the ground. The unity Nigeria desperately needs will not come from the old politics of patronage and ethnic arithmetic, but from a shared vision of competence, justice, and prosperity for all. This is the unity that Peter Obi offers.
THE COMPETENT LEADER: A HISTORY OF PERFORMANCE
Beyond his proven ability to inspire national unity, Mr. Obi’s candidacy is grounded in a demonstrable track record of competent and prudent governance. As Governor of Anambra State for eight years, he set a new standard for fiscal responsibility and public administration. While other states were accumulating debt, Mr. Obi’s administration saved billions, invested heavily in education, healthcare, and infrastructure, and left the state treasury with a substantial surplus for his successor.
His performance earned him numerous accolades, including:
“Most Prudent Governor in Nigeria” — This Day
“Best Performing Governor on Immunization” — Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
“Governor of the Decade” — This Day (2020)
“Man of the Year” — Leadership Excellence Award (2022)
This is not ancient history; it is a clear and relevant indicator of the kind of leadership he would bring to the presidency. He speaks of moving Nigeria from a culture of consumption to one of production,because he has a history of doing just that.
THE TIME IS NOW
Senator Melaye’s political history and affiliations are well known. His pronouncements are best understood as the anxieties of a political class that feels its grip on power slipping away. The 2023 election demonstrated that millions of Nigerians, especially the youth, are no longer content with the status quo. They are hungry for a leader with integrity, a clear vision, and a proven capacity to deliver.
Mr. Peter Obi has demonstrated that he is that leader. His message of prudence, accountability, and national unity resonates because it speaks to the deepest aspirations of the Nigerian people. The Obidient movement is not a fleeting moment; it is the beginning of a new political consciousness in Nigeria. We are not defined by tribe or tongue, but by a common desire for a nation that works for all its citizens.
Therefore, we respectfully disagree with Senator Melaye. It is precisely because Nigeria is at a crossroads,facing unprecedented economic hardship and social division that this is the time for a leader like Peter Obi.
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