Middle Belt Forum Backs Peter Obi’s One-Term Pledge, Obidient Movement Gains Ground in Ibadan

The Middle Belt Forum (MBF) has endorsed Labour Party’s 2027 presidential hopeful, Mr. Peter Obi, for pledging to serve only one term if elected, describing him as a man of integrity who can be trusted to honour his word. In a statement, MBF National President, Dr. Bitrus Pogu, said the forum believes Obi’s track record shows he would keep his promise “to the letter” and not use it as a political ploy. “We believe Peter Obi is a man of honour and, if he wins, he will keep to his promises,” Pogu said. He stressed that term limits should ideally be decided by the constitution and the electorate, but maintained that the Middle Belt had confidence in Obi’s sincerity.

Meanwhile, Obi’s support base, the Obidient Movement, is gaining momentum in Oyo State. At the weekend, members gathered for the Oyo State Obidient Conference themed “Going Forward 2027: A New Nigeria is Possible” at the Empowerment Centre, Ring Road, Ibadan. The event attracted party loyalists, political analysts, and grassroots organisers.

Delivering the keynote address, Professor Francis Egbokhare of the University of Ibadan lamented Nigeria’s underperformance despite abundant talent. He described the nation as “a giant lying prostrate, trampled by dwarfs,” criticising poor governance, propaganda-driven politics, and lack of strategic thinking. “The first order of business is to restructure the mindset, because to win elections without it is to perpetuate the same failures,” he warned, urging the movement to adopt disciplined execution, integrity, and a focus on human development.

Obidient Movement National Coordinator, Dr. Tanko Yunusa, dismissed rumours of Obi leaving the Labour Party, confirming his candidacy for 2027 on a single-term agenda. “If elected, he will provide Nigeria with a single term of purposeful leadership. Many problems can be resolved within one year if we focus on essential human development,” Yunusa said.

Oyo State Coordinator and convener, Mr. Ayo Akinyemi, called the conference a unifying moment for members, urging them to remain committed to Obi’s vision for national transformation.