Five key allies of Peter Obi who parted ways with him after 2023

The current choice by Yunusa Tanko a leading figure in the Obidient Movement, to accept a visit as Director-General of the governmental project council of the Social Democratic Party(SDP )prospect has actually as soon as again accentuated the growing list of significant political partners who have actually distanced themselves from previous Labour Party governmental prospect, Peter Obi.

Given that the conclusion of the 2023 governmental election, Obi has actually stayed among the nation’s most prominent opposition political leaders. Numerous crucial figures who played crucial functions in his project, political structure, or motion have either left the Labour Party, lined up with other political interests, or honestly slammed his political instructions.

Obi is currently the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) governmental prospect for the 2027 election.

These defections have actually set off restored dispute about the cohesion of the political motion that emerged around Obi’s 2023 governmental project.

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While Obi continues to command a faithful assistance base throughout the nation, the departure of numerous prominent partners highlights the obstacle of preserving political unity and constructing a resilient structure ahead of the next electoral cycle.

His present alliance with Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the leader of Kwankwasiyya Movement, is seen by lots of as a plus to him.

Below are 5 of such most popular names.

YUNUSA TANKO

Possibly the current and most symbolic departure is that of Yunusa Tanko, who functioned as National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement and was among the most noticeable protectors of Obi after the 2023 election.

Tanko was a crucial mobiliser of Obi’s assistance base throughout the nation and routinely represented the motion on nationwide tv and at political occasions. He just recently accepted a visit as Director-General of the Presidential Campaign Council of SDP governmental prospect, Adewole Adebayo, efficiently moving away from Obi’s political camp.

YUSUF DATTI BABA-AHMED

As Obi’s running mate in the 2023 election, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed was among the main figures of the Labour Party ticket. He has not honestly defected to another political camp in the way of some of Obi’s previous partners, reports suggest that he openly revealed differences with elements of Obi’s political instructions, sustaining speculation about distinctions within the previous governmental ticket.

KENNETH OKONKWO[

Star, attorney and political leader, Kenneth Okonkwo was among the most singing representatives of the Obi project throughout the 2023 governmental race.

In July 2024, he revealed his exit from the Labour Party and honestly slammed Obi’s handling of the celebration’s management crisis. Okonkwo stated he had actually lost self-confidence in Obi’s capability to develop a strong political platform efficient in challenging the ruling celebration.

The difference later on deepened, with Okonkwo turning into one of Obi’s a lot of outspoken critics and consequently lining up politically with previous Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

VALENTINE OZIGBO

Business owner and political leader, Valentine Ozigbo, was among Obi’s closest political allies in Anambra State and signed up with the Labour Party ahead of the 2023 elections to support Obi’s governmental quote.

In February 2025, Ozigbo resigned from the celebration, stating current advancements had actually persuaded him that it was time to pursue a various political course. He later on signed up with the judgment All Progressives Congress (APC). He notified Obi of his choice and spoke respectfully of him, the relocation marked a substantial loss for Obi’s political structure in Anambra.

ISAAC BALAMI

Isaac Balami worked as Deputy Campaign Manager of the Obi-Datti governmental project and was considered among the essential northern figures in the organisation.

Following the election, Balami moved far from Obi’s political fold and later on aligned himself with the judgment APC, contributing to the list of previous project experts who selected a various political instructions.