By Habeeb Ibrahim
The political camp of former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has witnessed a series of departures, disagreements and political realignments involving some prominent figures who played key roles in his 2023 presidential campaign ahead of the 2027 general election.
The latest development is the defection of Dr Yunusa Tanko, former National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), where he has accepted an appointment as Director-General of the Presidential Campaign Council of its presidential candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo.
Tanko was one of the leading figures behind the mobilisation of supporters for Obi during the 2023 presidential election, which saw the Labour Party emerge as a major opposition force.
His political realignment has renewed attention on the growing number of former allies who have either left Obi’s political camp, criticised his leadership or aligned with other political interests.
Here are nine prominent figures whose political relationships with Obi have changed since the 2023 election.
1. Doyin Okupe
Late Dr Doyin Okupe served as Director-General of the Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign Organisation during the 2023 general election.
However, he resigned from the Labour Party in January 2024, citing ideological differences, and subsequently declared support for President Bola Tinubu.
Okupe also stated that his political relationship with Obi had ended after the conclusion of the 2023 presidential election.
2. Kenneth Okonkwo
Actor and lawyer Kenneth Okonkwo was among the prominent figures who defended Obi and the Labour Party during the 2023 election.
He, however, announced his departure from the Labour Party in 2024, expressing dissatisfaction with the party’s leadership and Obi’s handling of its internal crisis.
Okonkwo subsequently became a vocal critic of Obi’s political decisions 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 in 2023.
He later moved away from Obi’s political camp and aligned with the All Progressives Congress (APC), openly declaring support for President Tinubu.
His political realignment marked another departure by a prominent member of Obi’s former campaign team.
4. Valentine Ozigbo
Valentine Ozigbo, a former Labour Party governorship candidate in Anambra State, was also associated with Obi’s political movement.
Ozigbo subsequently moved away from Obi’s political camp in 2025 amid changing political alignments and disagreements over the direction of the Labour Party and the opposition.
5. Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed
Senator Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed was Obi’s running mate on the Labour Party ticket in the 2023 presidential election.
Although their partnership helped propel the Labour Party to national prominence, Baba-Ahmed has publicly expressed disagreements with aspects of Obi’s political direction and subsequent political decisions.
Their differing positions have raised questions about the future of the political relationship that brought them together during the 2023 election.
6. Ndi Kato
Ndi Kato, a former member of Obi’s 2023 presidential campaign council, has also emerged as one of the voices questioning the former governor’s political leadership.
Following Tanko’s defection to the SDP, Kato accused Obi of having a leadership deficit, arguing that the departure of people who previously worked closely with him raised questions about his management of political relationships.
Her comments have added to the debate surrounding the leadership and organisation of the Obidient Movement.
7. Serah Ibrahim
Serah Ibrahim, a prominent grassroots mobiliser associated with the Obidient Movement, recently attracted attention following her public endorsement of Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde’s presidential ambition.
She featured prominently at the unveiling of Makinde’s policy manifesto, the Reset Agenda, under the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), where she introduced the governor and described him as the “most outstanding Nigerian on the ballot”.
Ibrahim also disclosed that she participated in developing the manifesto, which focuses on the economy, security, education and governance.
Although her involvement in Makinde’s political project has raised questions about her alignment ahead of 2027, she 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 defection is particularly significant given his former position as National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement and his role in coordinating Obi’s supporters during the 2023 election.
He recently accepted an appointment as Director-General of the SDP Presidential Campaign Council under Adewole Adebayo.
His decision to work for another presidential candidate represents one of the most significant political realignments involving a former leading figure in Obi’s movement.
9. Peter Agada
Dr Peter Agada, the Obidient Movement’s former Director of Finance, resigned from his position in March 2026.
He reportedly cited a lack of structure and coordination within the movement before unveiling a new political platform known as The Movement Nigeria.
His departure added to concerns about the organisational challenges confronting the support structure that emerged around Obi during the 2023 presidential election.
Obi’s political camp ahead of 2027
The developments highlight the changing political relationships among individuals who played significant roles in Obi’s 2023 presidential ambition.
While some have openly aligned with other political parties and presidential candidates, others have criticised his leadership or pursued independent political interests.
However, not all the individuals listed have formally announced their departure from the Obidient Movement or publicly withdrawn their support for Obi.
With the 2027 general election approaching, the former Anambra governor faces the task of sustaining his political support base while navigating the growing disagreements and realignments among some of the figures associated with his 2023 campaign.
