The Obidient Movement in Oyo State has disowned Sunday Oni, saying he is neither its recognised leader nor authorised to speak on its behalf, while rejecting reports that the group has endorsed the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Senator Sarafadeen Alli, ahead of the 2027 election.
The movement described as false and misleading a report claiming that Oni led thousands of its members to defect to the APC and declared support for Alli.
In a rejoinder issued after a conference at Mokola Hill, Ibadan, and signed by its spokesman, Jimoh Alfred, the group said Oni was neither elected nor appointed to lead the Obidient Movement in Oyo State.
According to the statement, the clarification became necessary following reports linking Oni with the defection of members of the movement to the APC.
The group said the leadership of support organisations associated with Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso in Oyo State had met to clarify the position of the various groups on the reported political development.
It said the coalition included the Obidient Movement, Kwankwasiyya, Village Boys, Transform Nigeria and other support groups operating across the state.
“For the avoidance of doubt, we wish to say unequivocally that Mr. Sunday Oni was not and is not the Obidient leader in Oyo State, and he did not move into APC with the followers of Obidient in Oyo State,” the statement said.
The movement further denied giving Oni any mandate to make political declarations or decisions on its behalf.
It also questioned the identity of individuals reportedly seen with Oni during the declaration, stressing that their presence did not establish that they represented the recognised leadership or membership of the Oyo State Obidient Movement.
The group maintained that the reported defection did not reflect its position and should not be interpreted as a decision by the movement to align with the APC.
It equally rejected the reported endorsement of Senator Alli, insisting that its political objectives remained unchanged ahead of the 2027 elections.
The movement urged its members, supporters and the general public to disregard the report of the purported defection and endorsement, describing it as misleading.
It added that the movement would continue to mobilise its members around its preferred political platform as preparations for the 2027 elections gather momentum.
The clarification comes amid increasing political realignments and mobilisation in Oyo State ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
