RismadarVoice Reporters
September 22, 2026
The Obidient Movement has cautioned Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and other political actors against any attempt to interfere with the outcome of the 2027 general elections.
The group issued the warning on Tuesday following comments by Wike about the 2023 presidential election, during which the former Rivers State governor discussed the strategy adopted by the defunct G5 governors.
Speaking on TVC’s Journalists’ Hangout on Monday, Wike said the G5 deliberately allowed Peter Obi to win in Edo and Cross River states as part of efforts to prevent the Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential candidate at the time, Atiku Abubakar, from benefiting from the PDP’s strength in the South-South.
Wike, however, said Rivers State was treated differently because the group did not want Obi to emerge victorious there.
Reacting in a statement issued through its Media and Communications Directorate, the Obidient Movement accused Wike and other political actors of manipulating the 2023 electoral process.
The group said Wike’s remarks had reinforced its longstanding concerns about the conduct and outcome of the 2023 election.
It subsequently warned political actors against attempting to manipulate votes or interfere with the electoral process in 2027.
The movement also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission to uphold its constitutional responsibility by conducting elections that are transparent, credible and reflective of the votes cast by Nigerians.
It accused the electoral commission of perceived bias towards the ruling All Progressives Congress and demanded what it described as greater independence in the conduct of future elections.
The group further urged security agencies to remain neutral during the electoral process and protect voters, electoral officials and other participants rather than interfere in elections.
According to the movement, the 2027 election should be determined by voters at polling units and not by political actors, electoral officials or security personnel acting outside their legal responsibilities.
The group also appealed to political thugs and other young people who may be recruited to disrupt elections to reject being used for electoral violence.
It said political actors who recruit youths for such activities eventually abandon them after elections, urging them instead to protect their own future and participate in the democratic process peacefully.
The Obidient Movement maintained that Nigerians’ preference for peaceful political participation should not be interpreted as weakness and called for accountability where electoral laws are violated.
It urged INEC and security agencies to ensure that results declared after the 2027 elections accurately reflect votes cast at polling units.
Wike’s comments that triggered the reaction came during his appearance on TVC’s Journalists’ Hangout on Monday.
The FCT minister explained that the G5 governors who opposed Atiku’s 2023 presidential bid developed a strategy aimed at limiting the PDP candidate’s advantage in parts of the South-South.
He said the group considered the PDP’s strength in Edo and Cross River and decided that allowing Obi to win those states would deny Atiku the benefit of the PDP’s votes there.
Wike said Rivers was an exception because the group did not want an Obi victory in the state.
He also disputed claims by Obi’s supporters that the Labour Party candidate won Rivers State in the 2023 presidential election, arguing that election victories are determined by officially collated and declared results rather than social media claims or isolated polling-unit results.
Wike further questioned whether Obi could reproduce his 2023 performance in parts of the South-South in 2027, citing changes in the political landscape since the last presidential election.
