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Former National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Dr Yunusa Tanko, has rejected reports claiming he insulted his former political principal, Peter Obi, insisting that their relationship ended peacefully despite his move to the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
Tanko made the clarification on Saturday, November 14, 2026, after reports circulated online alleging that he had used offensive language against Obi, who is now the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), ahead of the 2027 general election.
The controversy comes days after Tanko was unveiled as the National Coordinator of the SDP Presidential Campaign Council for Prince Adewole Adebayo. His move from Obi’s political camp has attracted attention because of his previous role as a prominent figure in the Obidient Movement and his involvement in Obi’s 2023 presidential campaign.
In a statement issued through the Adebayo-Bugaje Presidential Campaign Council, Tanko described the reports as fabricated publications intended to create hostility between him and the former Anambra State governor.
He maintained that he had no reason to insult Obi and said he continued to appreciate the opportunity he received to work with him.
“I can never insult His Excellency, Mr Peter Obi,” Tanko said, adding that they parted ways peacefully and with mutual understanding. Vanguard News
Tanko’s response appears intended to separate his decision to accept a new political assignment from his personal relationship with Obi. Although he has publicly expressed dissatisfaction with events inside the Obidient Movement, he has insisted that those grievances should not be interpreted as a personal attack on the former governor.
He also expressed confidence that Obi would recognise the allegations as false, given the relationship they maintained while working together. According to Tanko, political differences and changes in party affiliation should not automatically lead to bitterness or disrespect between former associates.
He further described himself as someone who values political relationships and does not engage in blackmail or personal attacks. The campaign council also urged journalists and members of the public to disregard the disputed publications and rely on verified statements from its official representatives.
The clarification followed earlier comments Tanko made after his appointment to the SDP presidential campaign team. In those comments, he spoke about what he described as a breakdown of trust and loyalty within the Obidient Movement, explaining that his departure was connected to his experience within the organisation rather than a decision to turn against Obi personally.
Tanko said he appreciated the opportunity Obi gave him to serve and acknowledged the work they had done together. However, he argued that he could not continue in an environment where he believed his contributions were no longer valued.
“You don’t stay where you are being tolerated; you go where you are appreciated,” he said during an interview following his unveiling as the SDP campaign council coordinator.
He also described his experience in the movement as one involving what he called betrayal of trust and loyalty. His comments attracted attention because they came shortly after he moved to a political campaign supporting another presidential aspirant for the 2027 election. TheCable+1
Tanko’s explanation also revealed the distinction he wanted Nigerians to make between his disagreement with people within the Obidient Movement and his respect for Obi himself. While he has criticised the circumstances surrounding his exit, he has continued to acknowledge Obi’s role in giving him the platform to participate in the 2023 political movement.
The former coordinator said he served Obi with diligence, honesty and integrity. He also maintained that he remained grateful for the opportunity to lead the Obidient Movement worldwide, describing the experience as an important part of his political journey.
His latest statement therefore seeks to counter the impression that joining the SDP campaign council means he has become an opponent of Obi on a personal level. Tanko has presented his new assignment as a continuation of his involvement in Nigerian politics rather than an attempt to discredit his former principal.
How Tanko moved from the Obidient Movement to the SDP
Tanko was appointed National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement worldwide by Obi in September 2024, following the movement’s decision to zone the position to the North. He later served as Obi’s political adviser for Northern Nigeria after changes to his responsibilities within the political structure.
However, his relationship with the movement became strained in 2026. Reports indicate that he was removed as its national coordinator in October and subsequently took up the political adviser role. He resigned from that position on October 30 before accepting the SDP campaign appointment.
Tanko has disputed the suggestion that he voluntarily abandoned the movement. Instead, he said he was pushed out and that his contributions were no longer appreciated by those around Obi.
During his earlier explanation, he also said he had informed Obi and Senator Seriake Dickson, the NDC national leader, about his decision to accept the new assignment. He did not provide a detailed public account of every disagreement that led to his departure, saying that further explanations could be contained in a book he intended to publish.
His appointment to the SDP Presidential Campaign Council places him in a new political role supporting Prince Adewole Adebayo, the party’s presidential candidate. Tanko said his relationship with Adebayo did not begin with the recent appointment, explaining that they had maintained a political relationship dating back to 2023.
He also indicated that any decision about supporting a possible opposition consensus candidate in 2027 would depend on the position of his new principal. TheCable+2
What Tanko’s statement means for the 2027 political contest
The disagreement surrounding Tanko’s departure highlights the political realignments taking place ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general election. Political figures who worked together during previous campaigns are beginning to take different positions as parties and opposition groups prepare for another electoral contest.
Obi’s emergence as the NDC presidential candidate and Tanko’s appointment to coordinate the SDP campaign council have made their former working relationship a subject of public discussion. Their political paths are now connected to different parties and presidential campaigns, although Tanko insists that the separation should not be treated as a personal conflict.
The distinction matters because political disagreements can quickly become exaggerated on social media, particularly when prominent figures change political platforms. Statements about dissatisfaction within a political organisation can also be presented as attacks on its most recognisable leader, even when the person making the comments does not directly criticise that individual.
In Tanko’s case, his earlier remarks about betrayal and loyalty generated questions about his relationship with Obi. His latest statement appears to address those questions directly by rejecting claims that he insulted the former governor.
For the SDP, Tanko’s experience in the Obidient Movement and his involvement in Obi’s 2023 campaign could give him useful political experience as the party prepares for the next election. His new responsibility will involve coordinating campaign activities and supporting Adebayo’s presidential ambition.
For Obi and the NDC, Tanko’s departure represents a change in the political relationships that developed around the 2023 presidential election. However, Tanko has made it clear that he does not intend to turn his move into a public campaign against his former principal.
Whether the clarification will end the speculation surrounding their relationship remains to be seen. For now, Tanko’s position is that he can disagree with the circumstances surrounding his departure from the Obidient Movement while continuing to respect the man who gave him an opportunity to serve.
His message is that accepting a new political responsibility does not require him to insult or discredit his former principal. As preparations for the 2027 elections continue, his role in the SDP campaign and the relationship between the two political figures are likely to remain topics of public interest.
