The National Coordinator of the “Obidient Movement,” Yunusa Tanko, has come under fire from Ibrahim Idoko, the National Vice-Chairman of the Labour Party, North-Central, for asserting that the movement is larger than the Labour Party and therefore bringing it into the spotlight.
While claiming that the movement is bigger than the party, Tanko also mentioned its independence and the potential to switch to a different political platform in order to maintain its principles of accountability and good governance in the upcoming 2027 elections, should the Labour Party be forced to adopt its viewpoints. Tanko made these remarks in a recent interview with Arise News.
Idoko rejected Tanko’s remarks in a press release sent to reporters on Wednesday, calling him a political opportunist attempting to appease his bosses.
Tanko’s claim should be ignored by all party members and supporters nationwide, he said, adding that the LP has been winning elections and making great strides without the Obidient Movement for many years.
The statement read: “To say the least, this is laughable, coming from a one-time national chairman of a deregistered political party. Tanko and his allies need a brief history lesson on the Labour Party and its successes before the rise of the Obidient Movement.
“It is obvious that Tanko and his co-travellers are either living in denial or are grossly misinformed; either way, they are just being mischievous.
“The Labour Party has been winning elections across Nigeria long before now. For the record, His Excellency, Alex Otti, the current Governor of Abia State, is not the first governor elected on the platform of the Labour Party.
“His Excellency, Olusegun Mimiko, a former Governor of Ondo State, was a two-term governor. The party has also had National Assembly and House of Assembly members in various states.
“It should be noted that well-recognised politicians such as Senator Ovie Omo-Agege of Delta State, Senator Joshua Dariye of Plateau State, and Hon. Samuel Godday of Benue State, among others, were elected under the Labour Party’s platform.
“Tanko is simply being mischievous and seeking relevance from his paymasters. If Tanko and his allies wish to pursue an alternative path to the LP in 2027, so be it.
“We bear no grudges, but we are confident that under the leadership of Barr. Julius Abure and the current National Working Committee, the Labour Party will only grow stronger, and in 2027, LP will emerge victorious in the elections,” he said.
Idoko, who is also the current Benue State LP Chairman, further reaffirmed the North-Central LP chairmen’s resolve to give Abure all the assistance he needs to take the party to new heights.
