Calling Obidients “Divisive” Reflects Fear of Accountability, Says Movement

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The Obidient Movement Worldwide has strongly rejected attempts to label its members as “divisive,” describing such characterisation as a familiar tactic employed by politicians who are uncomfortable with accountability and citizen scrutiny.

In a press statement signed by its National Coordinator, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, the movement said the narrative deliberately misrepresents both the origins and the purpose of Obidients, stressing that the movement did not arise from extremism, intolerance, or any agenda to divide the country.

According to the statement, Obidients emerged from “years of poor governance, worsening poverty, institutional decay, and a political system that consistently shut out ordinary Nigerians.”

The movement explained that millions of Nigerians, particularly young people, became politically active not out of hostility, but because they were exhausted by recycled leadership and unfulfilled promises. It noted that this growing political consciousness was driven by a desire for better governance rather than an attempt to polarise society.

Addressing criticisms surrounding the participation of Obidients in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition, the statement said the decision followed the same logic that gave birth to the movement. It described coalitions as platforms designed to aggregate ideas, encourage debate, and build broader political alternatives.

The statement emphasised that joining a coalition does not demand silence or blind loyalty but instead requires “active engagement, accountability, and scrutiny,” warning that any coalition afraid of questioning voices is unprepared to govern a complex society like Nigeria.

The Obidient Movement further defended political passion, stating that passion is not a crime in democratic politics. It argued that reform-driven movements are naturally vocal because they are motivated by conviction rather than patronage.

The Obidients recalled that Nigeria has historically witnessed far more aggressive and exclusionary political followings, many of which were normalised or even celebrated, adding that singling out Obidients today exposes discomfort with accountability rather than genuine concern for national unity.

The movement also dismissed portrayals of Obidients as a rigid or monolithic bloc, explaining that its supporters cut across professions, social classes, regions, and religions.

According to the statement, Obidients include professionals, traders, students, civil servants, and other Nigerians united by simple demands for transparency, competence, and accountable leadership. It stressed that disagreement with political opponents does not equate to hatred and that rejecting the status quo should not be framed as division.

Responding to claims that Obidients could “ruin” electoral chances, the statement described such arguments as a distortion of political reality. It noted that elections are not won or lost because supporters are vocal online but are determined by organisation, alliances, credibility, and leadership. Blaming engaged citizens for political failure, it said, is an easy distraction from the more difficult task of governance.

The statement concluded by asserting that Obidients are not the problem in Nigeria’s political space. Instead, it said the movement represents an opportunity, both within the ADC coalition and beyond, to build a more accountable and participatory political culture. It maintained that any coalition or party serious about governing Nigeria must learn to engage such citizens rather than fear them.

StreetReporters.ng

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