The National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, Yunusa Tanko, has blamed the growing wave of political defections and coalition realignments within Nigeria’s opposition camp on internal crises, legal disputes and what he described as infiltration of opposition parties by external forces ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Tanko made the remarks during an interview on Eagle 102.5 FM’s Frontline programme in Ijebu Ode on Wednesday, where he analysed the deepening instability affecting opposition political platforms across the country.
According to him, the frequent movement of key political figures from one party to another should not be viewed merely as political opportunism, but as a response to structural problems threatening the survival of opposition parties.
He argued that most opposition parties are currently battling internal leadership disputes, factional crises and prolonged court cases that have weakened their organisational stability ahead of the next electoral cycle.
Tanko specifically alleged that the ruling establishment had infiltrated several opposition platforms in ways that continue to undermine cohesion and frustrate long-term political planning.
He said developments within the Labour Party and the Social Democratic Party showed clear signs of systemic interference and instability.
According to him, repeated attempts were allegedly made to frustrate the presidential ambition of Peter Obi, forcing opposition actors to continuously reassess their political platforms.
Tanko maintained that the Supreme Court judgment recognising certain leadership positions within the newly aligned opposition structures further validated concerns earlier raised by the Obidient Movement regarding internal sabotage and instability.
He explained that the pattern of political realignment being witnessed is rooted in recurring crises that often escalate into lengthy legal battles capable of paralysing party structures.
The Obidient Movement leader also defended Obi’s repeated movement across political parties, insisting that the former Anambra State governor leaves platforms only when they abandon transparency and become dominated by transactional interests.
He recalled that Obi left the All Progressives Grand Alliance for the People’s Democratic Party in 2014 to avoid political conflict in Anambra State, before later dumping the PDP for the Labour Party in 2022 over alleged internal irregularities.
Tanko further noted that Obi subsequently moved to the African Democratic Congress in early 2026 after severe leadership disputes rocked the Labour Party, before later aligning with the Nigeria Democratic Congress following fresh legal controversies within the ADC.
He said similar circumstances also shaped the political journey of Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, who has changed political parties multiple times in pursuit of what he considers a stable political platform for his Kwankwasiyya movement.
According to Tanko, the opposition coalition initially built around the ADC eventually collapsed due to competing presidential ambitions, internal leadership tussles and endless court cases that allegedly threatened the coalition’s ability to meet electoral deadlines.
He claimed that loyalists of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar attempted to dominate the ADC structure, thereby creating distrust among other coalition stakeholders.
Tanko disclosed that fears over unresolved litigation and uncertainties surrounding party legitimacy forced Obi and Kwankwaso to seek what he described as a safer and more stable political platform under the NDC.
He said the opposition could not afford to enter a major election while battling unresolved legal disputes capable of disqualifying candidates or invalidating party structures at critical moments.
Tanko also expressed concern about the judiciary, stating that while many judges remain committed to justice, the unpredictability of political rulings has created anxiety among opposition actors.
According to him, no serious presidential candidate would willingly remain in a political platform where leadership legitimacy could still be challenged in court close to election season.
The Obidient Movement coordinator stressed that coalition building has now become a necessity for opposition parties seeking survival ahead of 2027, warning that continued fragmentation would only strengthen the ruling establishment.
He pointed to recent tensions within the SDP, including court interventions and leadership disputes involving Shehu Gabam, as evidence that instability has spread across multiple opposition parties.
Tanko argued that the existence of parallel leadership structures within opposition parties reflects a broader national crisis affecting internal democracy and electoral preparation.
He further referenced controversies within the ADC involving legal actions reportedly instituted by party stakeholders, insisting that litigation has become a recurring tool capable of destabilising opposition platforms.
The Obidient Movement leader maintained that these recurring disputes across various political parties reinforce the argument that current political realignments are driven more by survival and structural instability than by personal ambition.
Responding to accusations that Obi’s movements amount to betrayal, Tanko strongly defended the former presidential candidate, insisting that Obi has consistently acted in good faith throughout his political journey.
He said Obi had invested personal resources, respect and political capital into every platform he joined, adding that the former governor only exits when transparency and fairness become compromised.
Tanko concluded that the instability within Nigeria’s opposition space is forcing political actors to reposition strategically in order to remain viable ahead of the 2027 elections, insisting that the broader political environment — rather than personal disloyalty — is responsible for the frequent realignments currently dominating the nation’s political landscape.
