The Obidient Movement in Oyo State has distanced itself from Sunday Oni, saying he is not its recognised leader, while denying reports that the group has endorsed the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Senator Abiodun Sarafadeen Alli, for the 2027 election.

The movement described as false a report that Oni had led thousands of its members to defect to the APC and endorse Alli.

In a rejoinder issued after its conference at Mokola Hill, Ibadan, and signed by its spokesman, Jimoh Alfred, the group said Oni was neither elected nor appointed as leader of the Obidient Movement in Oyo State.

The statement was in reaction to a report claiming that Oni had led members of the movement to join the APC.

The group said the leadership of support groups associated with Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso in Oyo State had resolved to clarify its position on the reported defection.

It said the coalition included the Obidient Movement, Kwankwasiyya, Village Boys, Transform Nigeria and other support groups across the state.

“For the avoidance of doubt, we wish to say unequivocally that Mr. Sunday Oni was not and is not the Obidient leader in Oyo State, and he did not move into APC with the followers of Obidient in Oyo State,” the statement said.

The movement also denied that Oni had the authority to speak or act on its behalf, while questioning the identity of those who reportedly accompanied him during the declaration.

It said the reported defection did not represent the position of the recognised leadership of the movement in Oyo State.

The group also rejected the reported endorsement of Alli, saying it remained committed to its political objectives ahead of the 2027 elections.

It urged members of the movement and members of the public to disregard the report, which it described as misleading.

The statement added that the movement would continue to mobilise its members around its preferred political platform ahead of the 2027 elections. (Guardian)

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