Dr Yunusa Tanko has stepped down as National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement after accepting a new assignment as Political Adviser on Northern Nigeria to Peter Obi, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Tanko announced his decision in a statement addressed to Obi, leaders, stakeholders and members of the Obidient Movement at Obidient House in Life Camp, Abuja.
The development also marks a leadership transition within the movement, with Dr Moses Paul, popularly known as Dr Mo, taking over as the new National Coordinator.
The leadership changes were announced following engagements involving national leaders and state coordinators of the movement and Obi. Multiple Nigerian media reports confirmed that Tanko would take up a role focused on Northern Nigeria, while Moses Paul assumes responsibility for the movement’s national coordination.
Explaining his decision, Tanko said his new assignment would require his full attention and physical presence across Northern Nigeria, particularly as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 elections.
In his new role, he is expected to concentrate on political engagement, mobilisation and coordination across the region.
Tanko said he would work with existing movement structures, political stakeholders, communities and supporters to deepen engagement and strengthen the movement’s presence across Northern Nigeria.
His appointment therefore represents a shift from his previous responsibility of coordinating the Obidient Movement nationally to a more regionally focused political assignment.
Reflecting on his tenure as National Coordinator, Tanko highlighted the organisational structures established by the movement during his time in office.
According to him, the Obidient Movement expanded its structures across the country, including regional leadership and coordination arrangements covering all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
He also identified digital mobilisation, grassroots coordination and community engagement among the areas developed during his tenure.
Another initiative highlighted was an election-results monitoring system linked to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s Results Viewing platform.
Tanko thanked the movement’s leaders, coordinators, volunteers and supporters for their contributions, stressing that the structures developed during his tenure would provide a foundation for his new assignment.
With Tanko moving into his new Northern Nigeria role, Dr Moses Paul, popularly known as Dr Mo, has been named the new National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement.
Tanko described Paul as a longstanding member of the movement who had played roles in civic engagement, grassroots mobilisation and communication.
He expressed confidence in Paul’s ability to coordinate the movement and urged its leaders, state coordinators and volunteers to give the new national coordinator the necessary support.
Paul has also publicly acknowledged the transition, saying he would build on the foundation established under Tanko’s leadership. Vanguard reported that Paul asked for the prayers and support of members as he assumes the new role.
The change comes as political groups associated with Peter Obi and the wider Obidient movement continue to organise ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Tanko’s new assignment places particular emphasis on Northern Nigeria, where he is expected to engage stakeholders and supporters while coordinating political mobilisation in the region.
The move also gives Paul responsibility for the movement’s national coordination at a time when its structures are being repositioned ahead of the next general election.
Recent reports have described the transition as part of the movement’s broader organisational adjustments, with Tanko moving into a political advisory role and Paul taking charge of day-to-day national coordination.
Tanko has indicated that his departure from the coordinator position does not mean an end to his involvement with the movement. Instead, his new role is focused on expanding political engagement in Northern Nigeria while working with existing structures and stakeholders.
The leadership transition consequently places two senior figures in separate but connected roles as the political activities surrounding the 2027 elections gather momentum.
