The Obidient Movement has criticised recent comments by former senator Dino Melaye regarding the presidential ambition of Peter Obi, describing the remarks as a misinterpretation of Nigeria’s political reality.

In a statement on Friday, the group said while it acknowledged Melaye’s description of Obi as a “fantastic Nigerian” and a “great man,” it strongly disagreed with his claim that the former Anambra State governor lacks the capacity to unite the country.

According to the movement, the assertion that Obi “lacks the ability to unify Nigeria” and that “this is not his time” fails to recognise the growing support among Nigerians for a new political direction.

The group argued that such views reflect what it called the thinking of an entrenched political establishment that has contributed to the divisions it now claims to be capable of resolving.

It further stated that the idea that a candidate’s “time” should be determined by political elites rather than the urgent needs of the nation represents the same mindset that has hindered Nigeria’s progress for decades.

The movement added that the real question is not whether it is Obi’s time to lead but whether Nigerians are ready to break away from what it described as cycles of ineffective leadership, economic stagnation and national disunity.

Highlighting Obi’s political appeal, the group maintained that the 2023 presidential election demonstrated his ability to attract support across ethnic, regional and religious lines.

It said the broad coalition that emerged around Obi’s candidacy during the election reflected a growing national movement seeking unity and productive governance.

A statement forwarded to DAILY POST by the National Coordinator of the Movement, Yunusa Tanko, reads partly: “We have taken note of the recent comments made by former Senator Dino Melaye regarding the presidential aspirations of Mr. Peter Obi. While we appreciate his acknowledgment of Mr. Obi as a “fantastic Nigerian” and a “great man,” his subsequent assertion that Mr. Obi “lacks the ability to unify Nigeria” and that “this is not his time” is a profound misreading of the Nigerian political landscape and a disservice to the millions of Nigerians who have embraced Mr. Obi’s vision for a new, united, and productive nation.

“Senator Melaye’s argument is a tired refrain from a political establishment that has long presided over the very divisions it now claims to be the sole solution for.

“The notion that a candidate’s “time” is something to be determined by political gatekeepers, rather than by the urgency of a nation’s needs, is precisely the thinking that has held Nigeria captive for decades.

“The question is not whether it is Peter Obi’s time, but whether it is time for Nigeria to finally break free from the cycle of failed leadership, economic stagnation, and disunity. For a vast and growing movement of Nigerians, the answer is an unequivocal yes.”