Obidient Movement Condemns Tinubu’s Remarks, Warns of Threat to Nigeria’s Democracy
Abuja, Nigeria – June 14, 2025 – The Obidient Movement, a group loyal to Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, has fiercely criticized President Bola Tinubu for his recent comments celebrating the internal divisions within Nigeria’s opposition parties. Labeling the remarks as undemocratic and dangerous, the group accused the President of undermining the nation’s democratic process.
During his Democracy Day address to a joint session of the National Assembly in Abuja on Thursday, Tinubu openly expressed delight in the opposition’s disarray, stating, “For me, I would say try your best to put your house in order. I will not help you do so. It is, indeed, a pleasure to witness you in such disarray.” The statement has sparked widespread controversy, with the Obidient Movement leading the charge against what they describe as a troubling stance from the nation’s leader.
In an interview with Saturday PUNCH, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, expressed dismay at Tinubu’s remarks, calling them a “public endorsement of political sabotage.” “This is not only shameful but deeply troubling. It confirms what Peter Obi has consistently warned about, that the current administration is not just indifferent to the rule of law and democratic ideals, but is actively working against them,” Tanko said.
Tanko described the President’s comments as a veiled threat to Nigeria’s fragile democracy, urging the international community to take note of what he called a “dangerous shift” in the country’s political climate. “This isn’t just careless talk; it is a direct admission of interfering in the affairs of opposition parties. The presidency is openly ridiculing the concept of a vibrant multiparty democracy,” he said. He further warned that the collapse of democracy in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, could have far-reaching consequences for the continent, calling on the United States and other democratic nations to intervene.
The Obidient Movement also criticized Tinubu’s symbolic gestures during the Democracy Day event, including the posthumous pardon of the Ogoni Nine and the conferment of national honors on June 12 heroes. Tanko dismissed these actions as “politically motivated” and a distraction from pressing issues like economic hardship, unemployment, and insecurity. “That was nothing but a publicity stunt. Nigerians are not asking for awards or political drama. They are asking for food, jobs, security, and an economy that works,” he said, adding that such moves were strategic attempts to gain political favor ahead of the 2027 election.
Tanko highlighted the growing economic challenges facing Nigerians, noting that recent celebrations like Sallah were marred by widespread hardship. “Joy has been taken away from Nigerians. What they need is economic relief, not symbolic gestures. Leadership must focus on substance, not spectacle,” he emphasized.
The Obidient Movement’s strong rebuke underscores rising tensions between the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and opposition groups, as Nigeria grapples with economic and political challenges. The group’s call for international scrutiny signals increasing concerns about the state of democracy under Tinubu’s administration.
