As Nigeria moves towards the 2027 general elections, several prominent figures associated with Peter Obi’s 2023 presidential campaign have taken different political paths.
Some have openly criticised the former Anambra State governor, while others have joined different political platforms or expressed support for other presidential hopefuls.
The latest development involves Dr Yunusa Tanko, the former National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, who has joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP) as its Presidential Campaign Council National Coordinator.
Tanko was unveiled on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, during the inauguration of the party’s campaign council in Abuja. He is expected to work with the SDP’s presidential candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo, ahead of the 2027 election.
His appointment has renewed attention on other prominent figures whose political relationships with Obi have changed since the 2023 election.
10 figures whose political paths have changed
1. Doyin Okupe
The late Doyin Okupe served as Director-General of the Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign Organisation in 2023.
He resigned from the Labour Party in January 2024, citing ideological differences. Okupe later declared support for President Bola Tinubu and said his political relationship with Obi had ended after the election.
2. Kenneth Okonkwo
Actor and lawyer Kenneth Okonkwo was a prominent spokesperson for the Labour Party during the 2023 election.
He left the party in 2024, expressing dissatisfaction with its leadership and Obi’s handling of the internal crisis. Okonkwo later became a vocal critic of Obi and aligned with former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar’s political camp.
3. Isaac Balami
Isaac Balami served as Deputy Campaign Manager of the Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign Organisation.
He subsequently moved away from Obi’s political camp and aligned with the All Progressives Congress (APC), openly declaring support for President Tinubu.
4. Valentine Ozigbo
Former Anambra State Labour Party governorship candidate Valentine Ozigbo was also associated with Obi’s political movement.
He moved away from Obi’s political camp in 2025 amid disagreements and changing political alignments surrounding the Labour Party and opposition politics.
5. Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed
Senator Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed was Obi’s running mate during the 2023 presidential election.
Although the pair contested on the same ticket, Baba-Ahmed has publicly expressed disagreements with aspects of Obi’s political direction and subsequent decisions. Their differing positions have raised questions about their political relationship.
6. Ndi Kato
Ndi Kato, a former member of Obi’s 2023 presidential campaign council, has also criticised the former governor’s leadership.
Following Tanko’s move to the SDP, Kato accused Obi of having a “leadership deficit”. She questioned the management of political relationships within his camp, pointing to the departure of former allies.
7. Serah Ibrahim
Serah Ibrahim, a grassroots mobiliser associated with the Obidient Movement, recently attracted attention after publicly endorsing Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde’s presidential ambition.
She featured at the unveiling of Makinde’s Reset Agenda manifesto under the Allied Peoples Movement (APM). Ibrahim introduced the governor and described him as the “most outstanding Nigerian on the ballot”.
She also disclosed that she participated in developing the manifesto, which focuses on the economy, security, education and governance.
However, Ibrahim has not formally announced her departure from the Obidient Movement. Obi had previously dismissed speculation about a disagreement between them, describing her as his daughter.
8. Yunusa Tanko
Tanko’s latest political move is significant because of his former leadership role in the Obidient Movement and his involvement in mobilising support for Obi in 2023.
After his removal as the movement’s National Coordinator in October 2026, he became Obi’s Political Adviser for Northern Nigeria.
He resigned from that position on October 30 before accepting the SDP appointment. Tanko said he had informed Obi and National Democratic Congress leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, about his decision.
He also explained that his relationship with Adebayo dates back to 2023 and pledged to work with the SDP candidate towards the next election.
9. Peter Agada
Dr Peter Agada, the former Director of Finance of the Obidient Movement, resigned from his position in March 2026.
He reportedly cited a lack of structure and coordination within the movement. Agada later unveiled a new political platform known as The Movement Nigeria.
Obi’s political camp faces new alignments ahead of 2027
The developments reflect changing relationships among individuals who played different roles in Obi’s 2023 presidential campaign.
While some have joined other political parties or endorsed different candidates, others have questioned his leadership or pursued independent political interests.
However, the circumstances differ from one individual to another. Not everyone mentioned has formally announced a departure from the Obidient Movement or publicly withdrawn support for Obi.
With the 2027 elections approaching, these developments place renewed attention on the movement’s organisation, leadership and ability to retain its political support base.
