Musa Na Allah, Sokoto
The Sokoto State Chapter of the Obidient Movement has issued a forceful condemnation of comments made by Labour Party chieftain Kenneth Okonkwo, who claimed that only a northern candidate can defeat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential elections.
At a press briefing held on Thursday at the Labour Party Secretariat in Sokoto, spokesperson Abubakar Yawale described Okonkwo’s remarks as anti-democratic, divisive, and strategically bankrupt.
“The idea that a southeastern candidate cannot win is not just false, it’s the very mindset our movement was created to overcome,” Yawale declared. “Peter Obi is not a regional candidate. He’s a national force with proven appeal across every part of this country.”
Yawale cited Obi’s recent honorific title as Sarkin Maskan Pantami (Chief of Shelter and Peace) bestowed by the District Head of Pantami in Gombe State, as clear evidence of northern acceptance grounded in Obi’s track record of humanitarian leadership.
The Sokoto Obidient Movement emphasized its expansive grassroots presence across all 23 local government areas in the state, arguing that Obi’s message resonates far beyond social media.
“This is not an online trend; it’s a street-level, ward-by-ward mobilization. Farmers, artisans, and youth all connect with Peter Obi’s economic vision,” Yawale stated.
Referencing the 2023 election results, the group reminded skeptics that Obi won Lagos, Tinubu’s home base, while securing 6.1 million votes nationwide (25.4%). When combined with Atiku Abubakar’s 29%, the opposition bloc far outpaced Tinubu’s 8.79 million votes.
“Those numbers don’t lie,” Yawale argued. “Obi is not a spoiler, he’s the centerpiece of any serious opposition strategy in 2027.”
Discontent in the North, he noted, is rising due to the economic policies of the current administration. The group pointed to growing dissatisfaction voiced by blocs like the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), which it says creates fertile ground for Obi’s platform of reform, justice, and accountability.
Yawale also underscored the importance of unity among opposition leaders, including Atiku Abubakar, Nasir El-Rufai, and Rotimi Amaechi.
