Dr Yunusa Tanko has left his position as National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement to become Political Adviser on Northern Nigeria to Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Tanko announced the move in a statement posted on his X account on Thursday, October 1, 2026, saying his new assignment would focus on political engagement, mobilisation and coordination across the region.
He said he would work with the movement’s structures, stakeholders, communities and supporters to strengthen its presence across Northern Nigeria.
Tanko’s departure ends his two-year tenure as national coordinator. Obi appointed him to the position in September 2024 following consultations that produced a consensus for a northerner to lead the movement.
Reflecting on his tenure, Tanko said the movement established a National Advisory Council and developed structures across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
He also cited five regional coordinators, a Regional Collegiate Council, coordination structures covering 37 state coordination areas and 774 Local Government Areas, as well as the Obidient.com mobilisation platform.
Tanko said an election-results monitoring system linked to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s Results Viewing Portal was also developed, while grassroots engagement expanded nationwide.
He credited the achievements to the collective efforts of the movement’s leaders, coordinators, volunteers and supporters.
READ ALSO: Tanko Hails Obi’s Campaign Transparency
Dr Mo takes over
Dr Moses Paul, popularly known as Dr Mo, will succeed Tanko as National Coordinator.
Tanko said his new assignment required sustained attention in the North, making the leadership transition necessary.
He described Paul as a longstanding member of the movement with experience in civic engagement, grassroots mobilisation and communication, and urged members to support him.
The change follows a leadership dispute in July 2026, when reports emerged that Tanko had been removed. The movement rejected the reports and reaffirmed him as national coordinator at the time.
The latest announcement formally settles the transition, with Tanko taking the Northern assignment and Paul assuming national coordination.
The development comes as the NDC prepares its campaign structure for the 2027 elections. In September, the party authorised Obi and his running mate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, to nominate principal officers for the proposed campaign council.
Tanko thanked Obi and members of the movement for their support, saying the structures built during his tenure would provide a foundation for his new assignment.