The Obidient Movement has dismissed what it described as another round of propaganda and deliberate falsehoods targeted at its principal, Mr. Peter Obi, insisting that Nigerians are now wiser and will not be deceived by the antics of paid agents.
In a statement on Monday signed by Dr. Yunusa Tanko, National Coordinator of the movement, the group said recent claims circulating in the media and online spaces were nothing but fabrications intended to smear Obi’s reputation and undermine his growing influence among Nigerians.
Dr. Tanko recalled that on December 9, 2024, he was part of a team that paid a courtesy visit to elder statesman, Chief Afe Babalola, where the defamation case involving lawyer and activist Dele Farotimi was mentioned. According to him, contrary to propaganda suggesting that Obi “begged” for Farotimi’s case to be withdrawn, the matter was resolved through the intervention of the Ooni of Ife.
“Peter Obi does not engage in personal attacks, nor does he condone them,” Tanko clarified, stressing that Obi only expressed concern over Farotimi’s arrest and detention. He also noted that even Mr. IK Aboyi, who initiated and witnessed one of the meetings misrepresented in the media, had already set the record straight.
The statement further dismissed insinuations that Obi uses financial inducement to gain loyalty. “It is well known that Peter Obi does not gratify or entice individuals with money. Instead, he channels resources into education, youth entrepreneurship, healthcare, the almajiri system, and support for the sick and poor in society,” Tanko said.
On Nigeria’s debt profile, Tanko cited figures from the Debt Management Office, which show the country’s total debt rose from ₦144.67 trillion in Q4 2024 to ₦149.38 trillion by Q1 2025, insisting that attempts to deny this reality amounted to deceit.
The Obidient Coordinator also addressed lingering controversies, including the leaked “Yes Daddy” audio and the alleged WhatsApp broadcast against Lagos. He stressed that Obi reserved legal options on the audio but chose not to waste years in litigation, while no credible evidence has ever linked him to divisive broadcasts against Lagos.
“Propaganda thrives on lies because the truth exposes their failures,” Tanko stated, accusing Obi’s detractors of clinging to smear campaigns for relevance.
Reaffirming the movement’s commitment to a “New Nigeria,” Tanko declared: “The Obidient Movement will always stand for truth over propaganda, service over selfishness, and facts over fabrications peddled by paid agents. Nigerians deserve better.”
