Yunusa Tanko, the Interim National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, affirmed on Monday that Peter Obi remains a member of the Labour Party (LP), despite recent speculations regarding his potential switch to the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
Tanko, who was a key figure in Obi’s 2023 presidential campaign, dismissed claims that the former governor of Anambra State had joined the SDP.
“As far as I am concerned, His Excellency, Peter Obi, is still a member of the Labour Party. That stands until anything else arises,” Tanko said during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief.
The statement came in response to remarks made by Adewole Adebayo, the 2023 SDP presidential candidate, who suggested that Obi, alongside former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, had entered discussions to join the SDP. Prior to Adebayo’s statement, SDP’s National Secretary, Olu Agunloye, had also indicated that Obi’s supporters were actively engaging with the party ahead of future elections.
Tanko further noted that the leadership of the Labour Party would soon issue an official statement to clarify its stance, particularly in light of the Supreme Court’s recent ruling that removed Julius Abure as the party’s national chairman.
“There will be a meeting within the week where the party’s leadership will address key matters, including the Supreme Court decision, to resolve any confusion,” he added.
As the 2027 general elections approach, discussions about potential alliances have intensified. On March 20, 2025, opposition figures, including Atiku, Obi, and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, came together to form a coalition aimed at challenging the incumbent administration of President Bola Tinubu. This alliance is drawing strength from the over 12 million votes combined by Atiku and Obi in the 2023 presidential race, which far exceeded the 8 million votes secured by Tinubu, who was declared the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The coalition’s strategy is rooted in leveraging the significant electoral support garnered in the last election. However, internal struggles and leadership disputes within the PDP and LP, coupled with dissatisfaction in the APC, have led many to view the SDP as a more attractive option for many politicians from these parties.
