TDMembers of the Movement known as “Obidients” have issued a fiery call to its supporters, urging them to identify and politically ostracize lawmakers who won their seats in the 2023 general elections riding on the “Obidient Wave” but later defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a statement shared by activist Nefertiti on “X” (formerly twitter), the movement branded such lawmakers as “ungrateful”.
They accused them of betraying the trust of Nigerians who had rallied behind the Labour Party’s surge in 2023.
The statement warned that betrayal of the people’s mandate would not be forgiven.
It stressed that defectors would be punished at the ballot box.
Former Obidients Used and Dumped by APC
According to the Obidients, many of these lawmakers were denied tickets by the APC.
They warn that the lawmakers have now attempted to reposition themselves politically by joining the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
They ruled out any hope to once again benefit from the popularity of former presidential candidate Peter Obi.
“Those who abandoned Nigerians at the point of our needs to party and lounge with the Enemy will be punished at the polls.
“We will use them as scapegoats to set a very big example. Treachery won’t go unpunished,” the statement declared.
The movement emphasized that politics is about accountability and insisted that defectors would not be welcomed back into the fold.
It cautioned the NDC to treat such individuals as “persona non grata”.
It stressed that they would not receive Obidient votes in future elections.
Implications of Political Betrayal
Obidients also linked political betrayal to Nigeria’s pressing socio-economic challenges, including hunger, unemployment, and mass emigration (“Japa”).
It underscored that lives and livelihoods are directly impacted by political decisions.
“We own you; you don’t own us. You are our servants and not the other way round. NEVER AGAIN!” the statement concluded.
Below is a consolidated table of former Obidients turned Labour Party lawmakers who defected to the APC:
Updated Table of Labour Party Defections
| # | Full Name | State | Federal Constituency | Position | Defection Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ezenwa Onyewuchi | Imo | Imo East Senatorial District | Senator | — |
| 2 | Tochukwu Okere | Imo | Owerri Federal Constituency | Member, House of Representatives | Dec 5, 2024 |
| 3 | Donatus Mathew | Kaduna | Kaura Federal Constituency | Member, House of Representatives | Dec 5, 2024 |
| 4 | Bassey Akiba | Cross River | Calabar Municipality/Odukpani Federal Constituency | Member, House of Representatives | Dec 5, 2024 |
| 5 | Esosa Iyawe (Iyawo Esosa) | Edo | Oredo Federal Constituency | Member, House of Representatives | Dec 5, 2024 |
| 6 | Daulyop Fom Chollom (Daluyp Fom) | Plateau | Barkin Ladi/Riyom Federal Constituency | Member, House of Representatives | Dec 5, 2024 |
| 7 | Chinedu Obika (Joshua Chinedu Obika) | FCT | AMAC/Bwari Federal Constituency | Member, House of Representatives | Mar 11, 2025 |
| 8 | Paul Nnamchi | Enugu | Enugu East/Isi Uzo Federal Constituency | Member, House of Representatives | Jun 24, 2025 |
| 9 | Chimaobi Atu | Enugu | Enugu North/South Federal Constituency | Member, House of Representatives | Jun 26, 2025 |
| 10 | Okolie Lawrence | Delta | Aniocha North/Aniocha South/Oshimili North/Oshimili South Federal Constituency | Member, House of Representatives | May 28, 2025 |
| 11 | Manuchim Umezurike | Rivers | Port Harcourt I Federal Constituency | Member, House of Representatives | Dec 18, 2025 |
| 12 | Sunday Cyriacus Umeha | Enugu | Ezeagu/Udi Federal Constituency | Member, House of Representatives | May 22, 2025 |
| 13 | Afam Ogene | Anambra | Ogbaru Federal Constituency | Member, House of Representatives | — |
| 14 | Peter Aniekwe | Anambra | Anambra East/West Federal Constituency | Member, House of Representatives | — |
| 15 | Lilian Obiajeli Orogbu | Anambra | Awka North/South Federal Constituency | Member, House of Representatives | — |
| 16 | Jesse Onuakalusi | Lagos | Oshodi-Isolo II Federal Constituency | Member, House of Representatives | — |
| 17 | Murphy Osaro | Edo | Egor/Ikpoba-Okha Federal Constituency | Member, House of Representatives | — |
| 18 | Seyi Sowunmi | Lagos | Surulere II Federal Constituency | Member, House of Representatives | — |
Context of the “Obidients” Movement
The Obidient Movement, which emerged as a grassroots force during the 2023 elections, has become a powerful voice in Nigeria’s opposition politics.
Its supporters, largely young Nigerians disillusioned with traditional political structures, propelled several Labour Party candidates into office.
However, defections to the APC have sparked anger among the movement’s base.
Members view such moves as opportunistic and a betrayal of the collective struggle for a “new Nigeria.”
The latest warning signals a determination to enforce loyalty and discipline, ensuring that elected representatives remain accountable to the people who voted them in.
Political analysts note that this development could reshape the dynamics of opposition politics ahead of the 2027 elections.
Grassroots movements like the Obidients increasingly demand ideological consistency and punish perceived acts of treachery.
