2023 Election: How Peter Obi Lost a Key Ally Due to Poor Leadership, Obidient Leader Narrates
- Oswald said Peter Obi lost Isaac Balami due to leadership failures within the Obidient movement
- He alleged Balami made extensive financial, logistical, and personal sacrifices for the 2023 campaign
- The commentary warned that lack of recognition could weaken political movements over time
A social commentator and campaign insider has offered a critical account of how Peter Obi allegedly lost one of his most committed allies during the 2023 general election, pointing to leadership gaps within the Obidient movement.
Pastor Ambassador Oswald Amaechi Ikaegbu, convener of the Obidient Youth Ambassadors and a member of the Labour Party Presidential Campaign Council, in a statement made available to Legit.ng, said aviation entrepreneur Isaac Balami was sidelined despite making far-reaching personal and professional sacrifices for the campaign.
Source: Twitter
Oswald described Balami’s experience as one of the “most underreported tragedies” of the election season.
Role played behind campaign operations
Oswald said Balami served as National Deputy Campaign Manager of the Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign Council and was central to the candidate’s nationwide operations.
According to him, Balami ensured the campaign’s mobility, coordination, and logistical reach at a time when operational efficiency was critical.
He claimed Balami deployed personal and corporate resources through his aviation company, 7 Star Global Hangar, to maintain aircraft used for campaign travel.
Oswald further alleged that Balami provided several high-end vehicles for campaign logistics and covered their fueling and maintenance across all states and the Federal Capital Territory without reimbursement.
The commentator said Balami also financed campaign flights for himself, campaign staff, and security personnel. He added that Balami provided security support in volatile areas, particularly in parts of northern Nigeria, where campaign risks were heightened.
Personal risks and political costs
Oswald argued that Balami’s support for Obi came at significant cost. He said the aviation expert risked losing elite patronage connected to the administration of late President Muhammadu Buhari and faced backlash as a Northern Christian backing a southern candidate.
He added that Balami played a key role in expanding the Obidient movement in the North by mobilising professionals, youths, and security stakeholders. His influence, Oswald said, was strengthened by his past leadership of the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers.
The commentary also referenced the late Doyin Okupe, alleging that he too was abandoned after making sacrifices for the movement.
Leadership style under scrutiny
Oswald contrasted Obi’s handling of allies with that of President Bola Tinubu, whom he described as known for rewarding loyalty. He argued that Balami’s exit reflected deeper problems around recognition and internal cohesion.
He concluded that Balami’s decision to step away should not be framed as betrayal but as an act rooted in self-respect and professional integrity
Peter Obi decries worsening insecurity
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Peter Obi had issued one of his strongest public condemnations of Nigeria’s security and governance situation, warning that the country is sinking into a cycle of avoidable tragedies caused by leadership failure.
The former presidential candidate said the events of the past 10 days should alarm any nation whose institutions still retain a sense of responsibility. He described the period as a stretch marked by chaos, grief and a collapse of public confidence.
Source: Legit.ng
