I Respect Peter Obi, But I Left Him Because The Groups Around Him Did Not Want Me—Tanko Reveals

According to a report by Daily Post on Thursday, November 12, 2026, Yunusa Tanko, former National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, has given his reason for dumping Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), for the Social Democratic Party (SDP) only weeks before the 2027 presidential election.

Tanko made the remarks during an interview on Symfoni TV. He said he holds no grudge against Obi but refused to stay in a place where he was merely tolerated. Tanko was introduced on Wednesday as National Coordinator of the SDP Presidential Campaign Council. The party’s flagbearer in the 2027 race is Prince Adewole Adebayo.

“I respect Peter Obi, but I left him because the groups around him did not want me,” Tanko said, according to the report. He added that one should not remain where one is only tolerated, but should move to where one is valued. He said that when those around Obi rejected him, others who wanted him took him in and gave him a place of honour.

A close associate of Obi, Tanko served as spokesman and Media Director of the Labour Party Presidential Campaign Organisation in the 2023 election. Obi later named him worldwide National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement in September 2024.

He was replaced as coordinator in October 2026 and made Political Adviser North to Obi. Tanko, however, said he told both Obi and NDC National Leader Senator Seriake Dickson about his decision before accepting the SDP role. Concluding the interview, Tanko said his connection with Adebayo is not new, as it goes back to 2023. He described his move as no historical mistake, saying it grew out of a relationship built over a long time.