Former Deputy Campaign Manager of the Obi/Datti Presidential Campaign, Comrade Isaac Balami, has formally led a delegation of former Obidient Movement leaders, professionals and support groups to the All Progressives Congress (APC), declaring their support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The delegation met with the President’s son, Seyi Tinubu, in Abuja on Friday, where they pledged to mobilise support for President Tinubu’s re-election bid.
Balami, who defected to the APC after the 2023 general elections, said he left the Labour Party because of what he described as a lack of purposeful leadership and the neglect of dedicated members of the Obidient Movement.
The former Trade Union Congress (TUC) spokesman said the delegation comprised leaders of the Obidient Movement from the Middle Belt, North-Central support groups, professional associations, journalists, clerics, social media influencers and representatives of about 100 support groups from across Nigeria.
Addressing the gathering, Balami declared that members of the group had resolved to fully align with the APC after what they described as years of frustration within the Obidient Movement.
“It is exactly three years since I left the Labour Party with my political structure. We have remained patient, but we now believe it is time to work for the APC and support President Bola Tinubu,” Balami said.
He claimed that the political structures represented at the meeting contributed significantly to Peter Obi’s performance in the 2023 presidential election and promised to double their previous efforts in support of President Tinubu.
“These are the people who delivered more than six million votes to Peter Obi in 2023. Today, they have resolved to work towards delivering 12 million votes to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027,” he stated.
Balami said many of the former Obidient leaders felt their sacrifices during the 2023 election campaign were never recognised by the Labour Party leadership.
Several members of the delegation echoed similar sentiments, alleging they invested personal resources, abandoned their families and worked tirelessly during the presidential campaign without receiving appreciation or recognition.
They pledged to return to their respective communities to mobilise grassroots support for the APC and President Tinubu ahead of the next general election.
Welcoming the delegation, Seyi Tinubu thanked them for joining the APC and assured them they would be treated fairly within the party.
“Our movement is inclusive, and everyone will be treated fairly. You have joined us because you believe in building a better Nigeria,” he said.
Seyi Tinubu also highlighted what he described as the achievements of President Tinubu’s administration, including infrastructure development, the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), economic reforms, the removal of fuel subsidy, the implementation of a new national minimum wage and other government initiatives.
The meeting marks another political realignment ahead of the 2027 elections, with Balami expressing confidence that the former Obidient support base would play a significant role in strengthening the APC’s electoral fortunes.
