RismadarVoice Reporters
October 9, 2026
A group of former members of Peter Obi’s 2023 presidential campaign team has announced the formation of Batified Obidients, a political organisation established to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
The group said its members had shifted their political allegiance from Obi to Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC), following what it described as a reassessment of their experiences during the 2023 presidential election.
In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Adesina Fagbenro-Byron, the organisation outlined plans to engage former Obi supporters, undecided voters and other Nigerians ahead of the next general election.
The group argued that Tinubu possessed stronger credentials in executive leadership, political coalition-building, legislative engagement, crisis management and national political organisation.
It also expressed support for the administration’s economic reforms, maintaining that the policies would produce benefits over time.
However, these assessments represent the group’s political position rather than an independent evaluation of the two politicians.
Explaining its decision to withdraw support from Obi, Batified Obidients criticised what it described as organisational weaknesses within the Labour Party and the management of the 2023 presidential campaign.
The group alleged that some professionals who contributed to the campaign were not adequately recognised or effectively utilised.
It also raised concerns about internal coordination, conflict resolution and the management of political relationships.
According to the statement, those experiences influenced members’ assessment of the party’s preparedness for national governance.
The organisation maintained that its decision was not motivated by personal hostility towards Obi or his supporters.
“We say this without personal animosity. Our concern is governance, competence, and national capacity,” the statement said.
Batified Obidients also sought to distinguish itself from the broader Obidient movement, stressing that it did not claim to represent everyone who supported Obi during the 2023 election.
The group explained that its membership comprised individuals who previously supported Obi but had independently decided to align with Tinubu.
It announced the establishment of a political structure covering Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
According to the statement, the regional coordinators are Bala Abubakar for the North-West, Ekana Simeon Lamorde for the North-East, Daniel Gambo for the North-Central, Banwo Mayowa for the South-West, Izunna Desmond for the South-South and Odira Alexander for the South-East.
The organisation said its activities would include public engagement, political mobilisation and explanations of government policies.
It identified states where Obi performed strongly in the 2023 presidential election as areas of particular interest for its mobilisation activities.
Batified Obidients further stated that it would work towards helping Tinubu exceed the more than eight million votes he received in the 2023 presidential election.
The group described securing the President’s re-election as its immediate political objective.
Its announcement comes as political organisations and support groups continue positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 general election.
However, the number of former Obi campaign members who have joined Batified Obidients, and the extent of its support among the wider Obidient movement, have not been independently established.
The group has also not demonstrated whether its announced nationwide structure has become fully operational.
Its formation represents a declared shift in allegiance by some former Obi supporters, rather than an endorsement by the broader movement.
