Obidient Movement calls Sheriff hypocritical on patriotism remarks
On July 7, 2026, the Obidient Movement criticized former Borno State governor Ali Modu Sheriff for evading questions about President Bola Tinubu’s administration during a Channels Television interview, instead steering the conversation toward the Nigerian Civil War and referencing Labour Party candidate Peter Obi. In a Monday statement, the movement said Sheriff failed to address calls for Tinubu’s resignation amid worsening insecurity and economic hardship, accusing him of lacking moral authority due to alleged ties to the early rise and sponsorship of the Boko Haram insurgency. The Obidients defended Obi’s record, noting his support for businesses across regional and religious lines, investments in northern Nigeria while chairman of Fidelity Bank, and his advocacy to boost agricultural productivity in the north to raise national revenue. They asserted Obi promotes a united Nigeria, believing grievances should be resolved through dialogue, justice, and the rule of law. The statement also accused Tinubu’s defenders of using ethnicity, religion, and historical events to divert attention from pressing issues like insecurity, economic hardship, and rising hunger, urging the government to focus on solving current problems rather than engaging in historical debates.