Former members of the 2023 presidential campaign team of Labour Party candidate Peter Obi have declared their support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The group has launched a new political platform known as Batified Obidients, through which it intends to mobilise support for Tinubu and his Renewed Hope Agenda.

The development marks a shift in allegiance for the former Obi campaign officials, who said their decision followed a period of reflection on their experiences during and after the 2023 presidential election.

The group announced its formation at a meeting in Wuse 2, Abuja, attended by coordinators representing Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, alongside representatives from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Adesina Fagbenro-Byron, and regional coordinators, the group said it was committed to supporting Tinubu’s second-term ambition and mobilising former Obi supporters, undecided voters and other Nigerians ahead of the 2027 election.

The group said its objective was to strengthen support for the President, particularly in areas where Obi recorded significant votes during the 2023 election.

Explaining the reasons for the change in political allegiance, the former campaign officials expressed concerns about Obi’s leadership approach, particularly in managing diversity, deploying professional expertise and resolving internal disagreements.

They also argued that the Labour Party lacked the organisational structure and ideological foundation required to govern Nigeria effectively.

The group maintained that its decision was based on its assessment of the political situation and leadership requirements rather than personal grievances against Obi.

It further clarified that it did not intend to present itself as representing the entire Obidient Movement, stressing that its new identity reflected its decision to support Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress.

Batified Obidients said it would establish a coordinated structure comprising national leadership, zonal coordinators and state representatives to drive its mobilisation efforts nationwide.

The group also pledged to explain the policies and objectives of Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to Nigerians as it works towards securing his re-election.

The defection adds to the political realignments taking place ahead of the 2027 general elections, as politicians and support groups reassess their affiliations and declare positions on the emerging presidential contest.