Former National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Yunusa Tanko, has announced that he is leaving the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, former governor Peter Obi, to join the Social Democratic Party (SDP) as the national coordinator of its Presidential Campaign Council for the 2027 election. The switch was disclosed at the SDP’s national secretariat in Abuja on Wednesday.
SDP National Chairman Professor Abubakar Sadiq Gombe made the announcement during the inauguration of the party’s Presidential Campaign Council. Gombe said Tanko will “mobilise support for Adewole Adebayo across the country,” positioning the former Obidient ally at the forefront of the SDP’s nationwide campaign effort.
“I tendered my resignation on the 30th of October 2026 as the political advisor to His Excellency Mr Peter Obi, to represent Northern Nigeria. I have since reached out to His Excellency Mr Peter Obi and the National Leader of the National Democratic Congress, Senator Seriake Dickson,” Tanko said in his acceptance speech.
He added that the SDP is “a left‑wing, people‑oriented party committed to defending the interests of disadvantaged Nigerians” and pledged to work with Adebayo “to secure victory in 2027.”
The defection has ignited a heated debate on X, with users questioning the move. Selected reactions compiled by Daily Post include:
- @horlanrewajunu1: “Yunusa Tanko of all people? Why is everyone departing from Obi? Why is everyone who has once worked with him in one capacity or the other disassociating with him?”
- @Balogun_Jamiu: “Peter Obi’s inability to effectively manage and unite his own political group exposes his leadership limitations. If he cannot put his political house in order, how does he intend to manage a complex country like Nigeria? Popularity is not leadership; capacity is!”
- @Jamesdeyemi: “Peter Obi can't unite his Party, he always leaves when a small crisis happens, he can't maintain his own inner causes that spell a lot about uniting a complex country like Nigeria.”
- @zecks_eze: “A game is a game !!! Una never sees something. Something very big is cooking! Make una dey play! Minority opposition will deal with APC.”
- @Haleemarh_Gumel: “Peter Obi’s struggles to manage and unite his own political camp raise serious questions about his leadership capacity.”
- @KaciiEleven: “Good luck
<small>Source: Daily Post Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
