2027: Tanko, Datti, Okupe, Okonkwo, others who parted methods with Peter Obi

The defection of Dr Yunusa Tanko, former National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, to the Social Democratic Party, SDP, has added to the record of distinguished figures who have been as soon as carefully related to Mr Peter Obi however have since parted methods with him or publicly criticised his political course.

Tanko served as a key determine in Obi’s 2023 presidential marketing campaign.

He just lately accepted an appointment as Director-General of the Presidential Campaign Council of the SDP presidential candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo.

His departure has renewed discussions in regards to the political construction surrounding Obi forward of the 2027 basic election.

Among the distinguished figures who’ve had disagreements with Obi or moved away from his political camp are his former operating mate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed; former marketing campaign Director-General, Doyin Okupe; actor and lawyer, Kenneth Okonkwo; former governorship candidate in Anambra State, Valentine Ozigbo; and former Deputy Campaign Manager, Isaac Balami.

Okupe served as Director-General of the Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign Organisation. He subsequently left the Labour Party and publicly differed with Obi over his political decisions.

Similarly, Okonkwo, certainly one of Obi’s distinguished marketing campaign spokespersons in 2023, parted methods with the previous Anambra governor and have become a vocal critic of his political technique.

Ozigbo, a former governorship candidate in Anambra State and political ally of Obi, additionally moved away from his political camp in 2025.

Balami, who served as Deputy Campaign Manager of the Obi-Datti presidential marketing campaign, subsequently aligned with the All Progressives Congress, APC.