The Obidient Movement has dismissed claims by former senator Dino Melaye that Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, lacks the capacity to unite Nigeria, insisting that the former Anambra state governor remains the right leader for the country.

In a statement issued by the National Coordinator of the movement, Yunusa Tanko, on Friday in Abuja, the group described Melaye’s remarks as a misreading of the current political mood and the growing demand by Nigerians for a new style of leadership.

Melaye had reportedly acknowledged Obi as a “fantastic Nigerian” and a “great man,” but argued that the former governor lacked the ability to unify the country and that the presidency was “not his time.”

However, the movement said such claims reflected the thinking of a political establishment that had long presided over the divisions it now claims to solve.

According to the group, the issue is not whether it is Obi’s turn to lead, but whether Nigeria is ready to break from what it described as decades of failed leadership, economic stagnation and political division.

“The question is not whether it is Peter Obi’s time, but whether it is time for Nigeria to finally break free from the cycle of failed leadership, economic stagnation and disunity,” the statement said.

It argued that the political momentum generated around Obi during the 2023 presidential election demonstrated his ability to unite Nigerians across ethnic and regional lines.

The group cited the emergence of the Obidient Movement, which it described as a grassroots, youth-driven coalition that mobilised supporters across the country regardless of ethnicity, religion or geography.

It noted that mass rallies were held in cities across the North, South, East and West, reflecting what it called an unprecedented cross-regional support base.

The movement also pointed to Obi’s electoral performance in key areas during the 2023 poll, including his victory in Lagos State, the stronghold of President Bola Tinubu who was then presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress and the Federal Capital Territory, as evidence of his national appeal.

According to the statement, Obi’s choice of running mate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, further reflected a deliberate effort to promote inclusiveness and national balance.

Beyond national unity, the group said Obi’s leadership credentials were backed by his record as governor of Anambra State, where he served for eight years.

It said his administration prioritised fiscal discipline, education, healthcare and infrastructure while maintaining prudent management of public resources.

The statement also highlighted several recognitions Obi received during and after his tenure, including “Most Prudent Governor in Nigeria” by THISDAY Newspapers and “Best Performing Governor on Immunisation” by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

The movement argued that Obi’s advocacy for shifting Nigeria from a consumption-driven economy to a production-based one was rooted in his experience as a public administrator.

It added that the growing support for Obi, particularly among young Nigerians, reflected what it described as a new political consciousness driven by demands for transparency, accountability and effective governance.

“The 2023 election demonstrated that millions of Nigerians, especially the youth, are no longer content with the status quo,” the statement added.

According to the group, Nigeria’s current economic and social challenges make it imperative for the country to embrace a new leadership direction.

“It is precisely because Nigeria is at a crossroads, facing unprecedented economic hardship and social division, that this is the time for a leader like Peter Obi.

“His time is now because Nigeria’s time for a new beginning is now,” the statement said. (The Nation)