A group within the Obidient Movement has pledged its support for Senator Monday Okpebholo, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the upcoming September 21, 2024, governorship election in Edo State.
This support comes primarily from members based in the Edo South Senatorial District, who favor Okpebholo for his close ties with the local populace.
However, the Edo State chapter of the Labour Party (LP) has strongly condemned this move, calling it absurd for individuals identifying as part of the Obidient Movement to support candidates from other parties.
The Obidient Movement, which gained prominence during the 2023 presidential election by rallying support for the Labour Party’s candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, is now at the center of this controversy.
Following the presidential election, the Labour Party, led by Julius Abure, established the Obidient Directorate to address the needs of its members.
However, this was later renamed after Peter Obi clarified that the Obidient Movement was not affiliated with any political party and should not be designated as a directorate of any party.
During a meeting with Okpebholo, Ikhuenbor Igbinevbo, Coordinator General of the Obidient Movement for Okpebholo, described the movement’s members as proponents of good governance, fairness, and accountability.
He explained, “We supported Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election because we felt it was the turn of the Igbo. Right now in Edo, it is the turn of Esan, and we need the most qualified person to work for everyone, not a stranger.”
Okpebholo expressed gratitude for the group’s support and promised to repay their confidence if elected, vowing to surpass the achievements of Governor Godwin Obaseki within the first year of his administration.
He urged voters to punish the current administration with their votes, implying that a failure to do so would result in suffering for future generations.
Reacting to this development, Edo LP Publicity Secretary and Public Relations Officer, Sam Uruopa, said, “It is absurd to hear that the Obidient Movement is supporting Okpebholo, just as some have claimed they are supporting Asue Ighodalo.
The Obidient Movement is synonymous with the Labour Party and integral to its membership.”
Uruopa further criticized the shift in allegiance, reminding members how the party was denied the use of the Sam Ogbemudia Stadium before the presidential election.
He questioned, “How can these people now declare support for Okpebholo or Ighodalo? They have run out of ideas and do not know what they are doing at this point.
They cannot claim to be part of the Obidient Movement and work against the party’s candidate, Olumide Akpata.”
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