The National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, Yunusa Tanko, has dismissed reports suggesting that security agencies are planning to file corruption charges against former presidential candidate Peter Obi ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In an interview published on Monday, February 23, 2026, Tanko described the claims as part of a pattern of intimidation and harassment targeting opposition figures. He pointed to the ongoing travails of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai and named other prominent politicians reportedly on a watchlist, including ex-Osun Governor Rauf Aregbesola and former Rivers Governor Rotimi Amaechi.
Tanko insisted that Peter Obi has no criminal record and has never been indicted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) or the Department of State Services (DSS) for corruption.
He stated:
“Long ago, it has been proven beyond a reasonable doubt that Peter Obi would be as clean as a whistle and that has already been established by Nigerians and even the security apparatus.
So, we have been preparing ourselves for the extra measures that this government will take, because we know that this government will stop at nothing to manipulate, intimidate, coerce and harass any of their opposition to establish their grip on Nigeria. This we have already established.
So, we are ready, and we are waiting because if they decide to go that route, they will have to answer to the Nigerian people. That’s the best I can say.
But we know that they will try to intimidate anything or anyone they can. That’s what they will do. So, we are ready. We’ll be waiting.”
When asked whether the alleged persecution and corruption charges against opposition figures were linked to the 2027 elections, Tanko replied:
“Yes, of course. It’s about the 2027 elections and nothing more. So, as I said earlier, we are prepared to wait for them to take whatever particular decision that they want to take.”
He further alleged that electoral manipulation had already begun, pointing to recent amendments to the Electoral Act as attempts to “legitimise criminality.”
“Already the rigging has started. What are you talking about? From the laws that they’ve approved, they are trying to legitimise their criminality. That’s what they are trying to do.
How do you legitimise? You coerce, intimidate and take over the National Assembly by manipulating people and intimidating them.
So, all these are geared towards legitimising this so-called rigging that has already started. It is now left for the populace to say no to this rigging machine that is already meted out to us as a people.
Dominating the nation and working against the interest of the people would not be acceptable to true democrats in Nigeria,” he added.
The Obidient Movement, which emerged during the 2023 election campaign, mobilised millions of supporters and helped secure over six million votes for Peter Obi, who finished third in the presidential race.
Tanko’s remarks reflect growing tension within Nigeria’s opposition circles amid reports of intensified scrutiny and legal pressure on key figures ahead of the 2027 polls.
