Special Features

Matters Arising: Is The Obidient Movement Taking A Dark Turn?

Published

2 years ago

Apr 18, 2023.

By Praise Ben

From the crowded streets of Lagos to the remote villages of the north, the Obidient movement has captured the hearts and minds of a nation hungry for change. Driven by a deep desire to build a better Nigeria, the movement has harnessed the energy and passion of grassroots activists, young and old, from all walks of life. Their message is simple but powerful: that a new Nigeria is possible, that the people have the power to shape their own destiny, and that together, we can build a nation that works for all.

At first, the Obidient movement shone like a ray of hope in the gloom of Nigeria’s troubled politics. Eager to build a better future for their country, the Obidients drew together a diverse coalition of people, united by a shared vision of change. But as the election loomed on the horizon, cracks began to appear in the movement’s facade. A vocal faction of “Obidients” emerged, intent on silencing any voices that did not align with their own. Their targets were not just rival candidates but anyone who dared to express a different view on social media or in public. The result was a climate of fear and intimidation that left many Nigerians feeling cowed and apprehensive.

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Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi

On several occasions, Peter Obi, along with the Labour Party, have advised their followers to refrain from engaging in certain practices and instead encourage them to actively participate in the voting process by turning out en masse at polling units.

In the aftermath of the Presidential election, where Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s flag bearer, refused to let the matter rest, choosing to pursue justice through the legal system. He boldly contested the election results released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), publicly criticising the commission’s actions. Even his running mate took to the airwaves, making their dissatisfaction with the commission’s performance known.

Ahmed Datti boldly proclaimed that the recently conducted election was tainted with fraudulence, and hence, Tinubu was not rightfully qualified to be declared as the President-elect. Datti’s strong words had the potential to associate the Obidient movement with violent practices and unrest.

But is the Obidient movement really a violent one?

Recently, Senator Shehu Sani, a former Nigerian lawmaker, suggested that removing supporters of the Labour Party, particularly those of Peter Obi, from the political space could result in peace and tranquility in the country. However, he warned against the possibility of tyranny if the Obidients were excluded from the political scheme of things.

Renowned writer Wole Soyinka also expressed his concerns about the movement, stating that he warned Peter Obi that the Obidients’ behavior could lead to his loss at the polls. Despite these criticisms, the Obidients remain vocal in their criticism of the ruling All Progressives Congress and the Buhari-led administration.

Professor Wole Soyinka and Datti Baba-Ahmed

In the aftermath of the Presidential election, Festus Keyamo, the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, took aim at the Obidients, accusing them of using intimidation tactics to sway the judicial process. Keyamo alleged that members of the movement were pressuring judges to overturn the victory of President-elect Bola Tinubu in the February 25 polls. This came shortly after Datti’s explosive interview, which had already sparked controversy. Keyamo went on to caution the youth against attempting to manipulate the judiciary, citing the fate of dictators who attempted to influence the judiciary in the past.

His words were:
“Young and inexperienced ‘revolutionary’ wannabes who think they can intimidate our judiciary, goaded on by the now infamous interview of Baba Datti Ahmed. They should simply check the history of all dictators, both military and civilian, who tried to mess with our judiciary and how they ended up. If they think they’re doing their candidate any favour, then they should keep the threats and ridicule of the judiciary coming. They will learn their lessons in a very hard way.”

While there is no evidence that the Obidient movement is inherently violent, the actions of some of its members have led to fears about their potential to disrupt the peace and stability of the country. As such, it is important for the movement’s leaders to condemn any violent or intimidating behavior and to encourage their followers to engage in peaceful, democratic processes.