Supporters of Peter Obi have called on the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) to reverse the appointment of Theo Abu Agada as director of new media and strategic communications, describing the decision as disrespectful to their principal.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the group said Agada, who is regarded as an ally of Seriake Dickson, former governor of Bayelsa, had a history of making comments critical of Obi.
The movement said the appointment was “a direct insult” to Obi, his supporters and millions of Nigerians who identify with the political movement.
According to the statement signed by one Karigwe on X, also known as “Prophet of Thoughts”, the NDC cannot claim to value Obi’s support base while appointing someone who had allegedly shown hostility towards the former Anambra governor.
The group accused Agada of repeatedly criticising Obi and members of the Obidient Movement in public.
It said one of his past remarks attempted to associate Obi’s supporters with the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
“Even worse, he once claimed that Peter Obi had ‘unleashed his IPOB supporters on Nigerians’. That kind of statement goes beyond political disagreement.
“It is a dangerous attempt to link Peter Obi and Obidients to IPOB, and by extension paint the movement with the brush of extremism and terrorism,” the supporters said.
The group said the appointment raised questions about the judgment of the NDC leadership and its commitment to fostering unity within its ranks.
“The NDC leadership must explain how such a person passed through any serious political vetting process for a sensitive communications role,” the statement reads.
The movement also criticised Tanko Yunusa, a prominent figure within the Obidient Movement, accusing him of failing to defend the interests of Obi’s supporters.
The statement questioned Yunusa’s effectiveness and asked him to explain what actions he had taken to prevent what it described as repeated acts of disrespect towards the movement.
The group demanded the immediate reversal of Agada’s appointment and a public explanation from the NDC leadership on how the decision was made.
The statement further urged the party to ensure that individuals with a record of hostility towards Obi and his supporters are not appointed to strategic communications positions.
They said: “The Obidient Movement is not a spare tyre. We are not political furniture. We are not a movement to be used when convenient and disrespected when power is being shared.
“If NDC wants the energy, credibility, reach, and sacrifice of Obidients, then it must treat the movement with respect. Anything short of that is unacceptable.”