The newly appointed National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Dr Moses Paul, has called on Nigerian youths to move beyond social media activism and embrace organised, peaceful democratic participation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Paul, popularly known as Dr Mo, made the call in a statement following his appointment, describing the responsibility as an opportunity to strengthen the movement’s national structures and mobilise citizens around issues of governance, accountability and national development.
He expressed appreciation to Peter Obi and the leadership and members of the Obidient Movement for the confidence reposed in him, saying his appointment was not merely an individual honour but a responsibility to organise a generation and strengthen a movement.
“I am not accepting a title; I am accepting the responsibility to organise a generation and strengthen a movement whose mission is bigger than any individual,” he said.
Addressing Nigerian youths, Paul expressed concern over the country’s economic and social challenges, including unemployment, poverty, hunger, struggling businesses and what he described as corruption, waste and impunity.
He argued that public frustration must translate into structured civic engagement rather than remain confined to online conversations.
“Our frustration is justified, but anger without organisation achieves little. We must move beyond hashtags and complaints to organised, peaceful and determined democratic action,” he stated.
Paul said his administration would focus on five major priorities: organisation, unity, listening, communication and mobilisation.
He explained that the movement would work towards establishing functional structures across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, local government areas, wards, communities and polling units.
He also pledged to promote inclusiveness by giving young people, women, professionals, workers and ordinary Nigerians opportunities to participate meaningfully in the movement.
On communication, he promised coordinated and professional information management aimed at promoting truthful public engagement and countering misinformation.
The new coordinator further called for stronger grassroots mobilisation through civic education, voter participation and community engagement.
On the 2027 general elections, Paul raised concerns over reports of suspected artificial intelligence-generated photographs in the Independent National Electoral Commission’s preliminary voter register and alleged discrepancies in voter and polling-unit figures.
He specifically cited an allegation involving a polling unit associated with Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, which reportedly increased from 397 registered voters in 2024 to 4,783 in 2026.
Paul called on INEC to explain the alleged discrepancy and subject the disputed register to an independent forensic audit.
He, however, cautioned against treating the allegations as established evidence of electoral fraud, insisting that they required transparent investigation.
“These allegations must not be treated as proof of electoral fraud, but neither should they be dismissed without investigation,” he said.
He also urged the movement to begin preparations for the 2027 elections through voter education, training of polling-unit volunteers, election monitoring, proper documentation and lawful protection of voters’ choices.
Paul acknowledged the contributions of his predecessor, Dr Yunusa Tanko, expressing appreciation for his role in developing the movement’s organisational structures.
He stressed that his appointment was not intended to diminish the contributions of previous leaders but to strengthen the organisation and encourage cooperation among its members.
“I am not coming to replace anyone but to work with everyone. No individual owns this Movement, and nobody should be bigger than its purpose,” he said.
Tanko was appointed Special Adviser to Peter Obi on Northern Nigeria following the leadership restructuring that brought Paul into the national coordinator position.
The Obidient Movement had earlier announced the leadership change after a virtual meeting involving Obi, national leaders and state coordinators on September 30, 2026.
Concluding his statement, Paul urged Nigerians across ethnic, religious and geographical boundaries to join efforts aimed at building what he described as a disciplined, inclusive and accountable movement.
He called on young people to reject political manipulation, ethnic and religious divisions and the sale of their conscience, emphasising the importance of their Permanent Voter Cards and participation in democratic processes.
“We will ORGANISE. UNITE. LISTEN. COMMUNICATE. MOBILISE,” he declared.
He added: “The future will not be given to us. We must build it.”
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