Former lawmaker representing Kaduna Central Senatorial District, Senator Shehu Sani, has praised the rise of the Obidient Movement, saying it was the right vehicle to end tyranny in the country.
The movement which is mostly associated with the presidential candidate or the Labour Party (LP), constitute young Nigerians of very strong-willed, independent-minded and contemptuous of corrupt political office holders who have mortgaged their future.
The movement emerged as a response to the failures of the Nigerian political system. For years, citizens have suffered from corruption, lack of accountability, and a general sense of disillusionment with the government. The Obidient movement seeks to create a new Nigeria that is more just, equitable, and democratic.
Peter Obi, who was a former governor of Anambra state and the vice presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 presidential election, has enjoyed massive support from young Nigerians who see him as a symbol of hope and endless possibilities. His pledge to transform the country from a consumption-based to a production-based economy excites the youth who harbor resentment against the corrupt establishment.
The Obidients prove their love and admiration for Obi in that they not only name the movement after him, but also stood by him after his decision to leave the PDP, all the way to the elections and now fighting hard to ensure the "stolen mandate" is retrieved through the courts.
Not everyone has kind words for the Obidients, however. Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka in an appearance on Arise TV, referred to Obedients as "fascists" over their alleged refusal to entertain corrective criticism as their “badge of honour”.
But renown Nigerian-born novelist, Chimamanda Adichie, countered Soyinka, saying that the “word fascist is a very strong word which doesn’t describe the Obidients.”
“I have a lot of love and respect for Prof Soyinka but I disagree very strongly with him on this issue. Fascist is a very strong word and I don’t see any reason why Dr Datti’s interview was termed that way,” she said on Arise TV.
“Fascist can be used for INEC because many Nigerians feel cheated and gagged; with all the violence that occurred during the elections, that is Fascist,” she added.
To Shehu Sani, Obidients wouldn't have existed if the country is functioning well. He said those against Obidients, are those in support of tyranny.
He tweeted, "If you remove the supporters of the Labour Party from Nigeria’s political space,we will all have the peace and tranquillity we want and the tyranny we don’t want."