I will like to say a huge Thank you, for the warm welcome, and show of solidarity. Indeed our founding fathers were right when they said "Kowa yabar gida, gida ta barshi"….which further emphasizes the African proverb "when the hair is fully grown, the trimming must be done at home”.Permit me to start with this background; After the 2019 General Elections and the unprecedented hardship and incompetence wrought upon the Nation by the APC led administration, Some well-meaning Nigerians, myself included, who were totally dissatisfied with the poor governance and lack of direction , decided to forge a common front, and save this country from the malady and tyranny that had been unfolding.
These collective efforts, midwifed the emergence of His Excellency Peter Gregory Obi and Dr. Yusuf Datti-Baba Ahmad, two people of impeccable integrity and well proven track record, to champion the movement that is now known as the Obidient Movement. For the first time in our national history , Nigerians, especially the Younger generation, came together with one voice, in their millions , irrespective of their ethnic origin, social background and political affiliation. And so, Stretching far and wide across the country and equally as strongly, globally, across the diaspora, this unprecedented movement of organic and passionate joint purpose, was born. With 12.5m Obidients, registered in a few weeks and growing by the hour.
The movement from inception, faced numerous challenges, among which was coordination. However, with the 2023 elections at hand, we proceeded with our best efforts, overwhelming our opponents convincingly, despite the unfortunate, official outcome.
Now, at this time, with the same dire situation of directionless governance and extreme hardship persisting, it was time for us to leverage on our gains, to consolidate our organization. This has precipitated in the creation of the National Coordinating Council of The Obidients Movement, and my endorsement as the Interim National Coordinator of the Movement, world wide. After some consultation from the length and breathe of the Ntaion, we decided to start this consolidation process, from the North West, which, incidentally, is also my home zone.
Comprising of the seven (7) states of Kano, Jigawa, Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Zamfara and Sokoto which make up the North West zone with 22,672,373 registered voters, out of the national total of 96,303,016, making it the most populous zone in Nigeria But in spite of these prospects and voting strength, the Zone continues to be left behind, in terms of infrastructural development and adequate social amenities, giving rise to untold poverty and deadly insecurity, thus this deterioration must be checked. Fellow Obidients , today being 30th September 2024 marks a new chapter in our collective journey as a Nation, and our objectives and collective will, remain stronger than ever before. As a son of this ancient city, I pledge to unite our diverse voices, foster inclusivity, and promote equity for all.. For these are norms and values, well entrenched in our tradition and education, and are the orientation and legacy, we must pass on, to our children and generations, in perpetuity .
Today, dear brothers and sisters, I stand here not only, as the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, but also as an unflinching advocate for Good Governance, Justice and equity. As a firm believer, in equal rights and social justice, I vow to prioritize by the special grace of God the needs and views, of every individual, regardless of background, religion, or socio-economic status.
Let us all today renew our resolve , that in our quest to create opportunities for all, ensuring everyone has a stake in our collective success, we must put aside our differences, and work towards a common goal which is a better future for our nation. By harnessing our strength and our commitment, we can, in our diversity, unlock the potential for growth, innovation, and progress. We must continue to live for one another, in order to thrive together, which is what the Obidient Movement represents;That movement that aims to emancipate you and i. That Movement that will be a major rallying force in bringing change, and overcoming the conspiracy of corruption and incompetence.
I have no doubt that we can achieve this, by addressing the systematic inequalities that have held us back for too long. Our policies will promote fairness, justice, and equal access to resources and opportunities. The Obidient Movement aims to rekindle the spirit of patriotism, encouraging every citizen to take ownership of our nation's progress. And by fostering social cohesion, we will build a society, where everyone feels valued, respected, and protected. In conclusion, Let me call on every Nigerian, at home or abroad, to join us in this journey towards a united, inclusive, and equitable society.
Social Media and the internet, provides us veritable platforms for communication, networking, enlightenment and Organisation and we must use this, relentlessly and responsibly, in furthering our objectives. Let us work together to check this drift of cluelessness, end this cycle of hardship, and build a brighter future for ourselves, our children, and generations to come.
We expect every Obidient, indeed, every patriotic and passionate Nigerian to get registered as an Obidient, regardless of your political affiliation, as long as you share our desire for a New Nigeria, the registration you are about to make, is for efficient coordination and enhanced impact, not only for the sake of the present, but for the future of our Children, The protection of our Women, The progress of our Men, for our generations unborn, And Indeed, for the future of our Nation. It's Time to Register. May God Bless the Obidient Movement May God bless NigeriaDr Yunusa TankoInterim National CoordinatorOBIDIENT MOVEMENT