Supporters of Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, under the Obidient Movement in Anambra State, have explained why they endorsed Governor Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) for a second term. The group, led by Ikenna Azomchine, also known as the Obidient General, said their support for Soludo was based on his performance, not party affiliation.

Azomchine clarified that the endorsement was not an act of rebellion against the Obidient Movement but a recognition of Soludo’s achievements, which align with the values of good governance promoted by Peter Obi. In his statement on Wednesday, he said: “The endorsement of Professor Chukwuma Soludo by the majority of Anambra Obidients is a conscious and value-driven decision anchored on competence, integrity, and visible performance.”

He explained that the Obidient Movement is a citizens’ movement of conscience and not a political party. According to him, supporting Soludo was a collective decision made after consultations and performance reviews. He added that over 80% of Anambra-based members backed Soludo because of his visible progress in infrastructure, education, and healthcare.

Azomchine also faulted Dr. Yunusa Tanko, the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, for dismissing the endorsement. He insisted that Tanko had no authority to speak on behalf of all Obidients, emphasizing that the movement includes members from various political parties who share Obi’s vision of accountable leadership.

He further noted that the Obidient Movement had not officially endorsed Dr. George Moghalu, the Labour Party governorship candidate in Anambra, stressing that the endorsement of Soludo was made purely on merit. “Our support for Soludo is guided by logic and progress, not blind loyalty. Interrupting his development strides for partisan reasons would be unreasonable,” Azomchine added.