By Eshioromeh Sebastian
Yunusa Tanko, former National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, has broken his silence on why he dumped Peter Obi for the Social Democratic Party (SDP), alleging he was discarded by the circle around the NDC presidential candidate before being rescued by Prince Adewole Adebayo’s camp.
Tanko was on Wednesday unveiled as the National Coordinator of the SDP Presidential Campaign Council for Adebayo, just weeks before the 2027 presidential election.
In an interview on Symfoni TV, Tanko said he holds no grudge against Obi but could not remain where he was merely tolerated.
“The group did not want me. You don’t stay where you’re being tolerated. You go to where you’re being appreciated,” he said.
“I respect Peter Obi, but since they don’t want me, people who want me picked me up from the dustbin and made me a bride. That’s what happened.”
Tanko was one of Obi’s closest allies. During the 2023 election, he served as Obi’s spokesman and Media Director of the Labour Party Presidential Campaign Organisation, making him one of the most visible voices in the campaign.
In September 2024, Obi appointed him National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement worldwide, placing him at the heart of the movement’s structure.
But in October 2026, he was removed as coordinator and reassigned as Political Adviser, North — a move widely seen as a demotion. Weeks later, he accepted the SDP role.
Tanko said he informed Obi and the National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Seriake Dickson, before taking the SDP job.
On his ties with Adebayo, Tanko said: “This is not a mistake in history. When you go back into history, you will see my warm relationship with him way back in 2023. So this is a relationship that has long been built.”
The defection, coming weeks before the 2027 poll, is a major shake-up in Obi’s political structure and raises questions about the stability of the Obidient Movement heading into the election.
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