THIS DAWN — The Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, may have suffered a temporary setback as a prominent political activist and businessman Morris Monye has announced his resignation as Director of Mobilization of the Obidient Movement.
Mr. Monye cited unfulfilled goals, financial strain, government harassment, and lack of institutional support from the movement’s leadership, including its founder, Peter Obi.
In a detailed resignation letter shared with key figures of the movement and Mr. Obi himself, Monye expressed frustration over what he described as “optics and no work”.
He noted that almost a year after assuming the position, the movement’s short-, medium-, and long-term objectives remained largely unmet.
“I won’t be part of optics and no work,” Monye wrote.
He added that the poor performance of the movement in the Anambra election made his position “untenable.”
Financial Burden and Lack of Institutional Support
Monye revealed that he had spent approximately ₦40 million of his personal funds on mobilization activities, travels, and support for local structures nationwide.
He emphasized that no financial support was ever provided to his directorate, which, he said, did not even have a dedicated bank account.
“No money was given to the Directorate of Mobilization. There’s no bank account even for the directorate.
“In fact, Mr. Peter Obi has never asked what we are doing in mobilization — nothing of such, no communication,” he stated.
Monye listed a wide range of initiatives he had to personal fund, including:
- voter awareness campaigns,
- mobilization tours,
- rural radio advocacy,
- research teams,
- social media management, and,
- youth outreach programs.
He disclosed that his contributions were driven purely by belief in the movement’s vision of a “new Nigeria,” adding that he sought no repayment.
Harassment and Personal Toll
The former director also cited non-stop harassment from government agencies and sympathizers, which he said had taken “a toll” on his businesses and family.
“It’s a role that puts a target on your back. I have had to keep quiet so as not to discourage anyone or be made to look like a whiner.
“But it’s taken its toll on me and my family. They can’t understand any of this really,” he wrote
Key Achievements and Unfinished Projects
Monye outlined a number of accomplishments under his tenure, including:
- Registration of Obidients nationwide in collaboration with the IT Directorate.
- Activation of dormant support groups and creation of six regional structures.
- Establishment of local government (LG) offices in several states, particularly in the Southwest and Delta.
- Creation of a Research Team to produce biweekly short videos highlighting government failures.
- Launch of the Obidient NextGen campus youth network.
- Direct fundraising for the Anambra gubernatorial campaign, where he personally raised ₦2 million.
He also initiated a polling unit agent accountability project, which would have equipped agents with low-cost body cameras for transparency during elections — a plan he urged his successor to complete.
Call for Structural Reform
Monye’s letter included strong recommendations for restructuring the movement, urging Mr. Obi to personally fund and professionalize its operations.
“There is no time. I keep screaming it but it’s like I’ve been screaming into a wall,” he lamented.
He called for the engagement of political consultants, a large media team, and a results-driven campaign structure.
“You can’t run a campaign simply from general goodwill. This is not 2023. The element of surprise is gone,” he warned.
He further stressed the urgency of building polling unit agent networks nationwide, which he said were only 10 percent complete, with “barely 11 months” to finish the task.
Next Steps
Monye stated that he would now focus on his private businesses and personal development.
These include completing a business course at Oxford or Cambridge University and possibly seeking elective office if Nigeria’s electoral reforms succeed.
He pledged to continue offering advice to other Obidient leaders and to remain vocal in advocating for “a new Nigeria,” even though he no longer wishes to be “at the forefront.”
“I have been blessed with a small fortune. I’m content and a simple young man.
“It has been a privilege serving Obidients. Let someone else carry that mantle,” he concluded.
Monye’s resignation marks a major shift in the Obidient Movement’s internal leadership.
It also raises questions about the group’s organizational cohesion and readiness ahead of future electoral cycles.
