Former Deputy Campaign Manager of the Obi/Datti Presidential Campaign, Comrade Isaac Balami, on Friday led a group of former Obidient leaders, professionals and support groups to a meeting with Seyi Tinubu in Abuja, where they declared support for President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid. During the meeting, the group promised to mobilise 12 million votes for the President in the next general election.
Balami, who left the Labour Party after the 2023 elections and joined the All Progressives Congress (APC), said the decision followed what he described as dissatisfaction with the leadership and internal affairs of the Obidient Movement.
He said the gathering marked the formal presentation of his political structure and several former Obidient support groups to the APC.
The delegation included leaders from the Obidient Movement in the Middle Belt, North-Central support groups, social media influencers, representatives of about 100 support groups, professional bodies, journalists, religious leaders and representatives of Igbo Obidient groups from different parts of the country.
Speaking during the meeting, Balami said many members of the movement felt their efforts during the 2023 election were not appreciated. He explained that several people who worked for Peter Obi’s campaign had now decided to align with the APC after becoming disappointed with their experience in the Labour Party.
He also claimed that the political structure he presented had contributed millions of votes during the last presidential election and would now work towards delivering twice that number for President Tinubu in 2027.
Other members of the delegation also spoke about their experiences, saying they devoted time, resources and energy to the 2023 campaign but believed their contributions were overlooked. They said they had decided to return to their communities to mobilise support for the APC ahead of the next election.
Receiving the group, Seyi Tinubu welcomed them into the APC and the Renewed Hope Movement. He thanked them for their support and assured them that they would be treated fairly within the party. He urged them to remain committed to building the party and supporting the administration’s programmes.
Seyi Tinubu also spoke about some of the Federal Government’s policies and projects, including infrastructure development, the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, economic reforms, the removal of fuel subsidy, the new national minimum wage and other initiatives, which he said were aimed at improving the country.
The meeting comes as political parties and support groups continue to build alliances and strengthen their structures ahead of the 2027 general elections.