{
  "id": 19549179,
  "title": "2027: Tanko, Datti, Okupe, Okonkwo, others who parted ways with Peter Obi",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/11/2027-tanko-datti-okupe-okonkwo-others-who-parted-ways-with-peter-obi",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-11T20:57:14.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Post Nigeria",
    "slug": "daily-post-nigeria",
    "url": "https://dailypost.ng/2026/11/11/2027-tanko-datti-okupe-okonkwo-others-who-parted-ways-with-peter-obi-2/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In 2027, several prominent figures who were once aligned with Peter Obi have defected or publicly criticized his political direction. Dr Yunusa Tanko, a former National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, joined the Social Democratic Party, SDP. Tanko previously played a crucial role in Obi's 2023 presidential campaign before accepting a position as Director-General of the SDP's Presidential Campaign Council.\n\nYusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, who served as Obi's running mate on the Labour Party ticket in the 2023 presidential election, has expressed disagreements with Obi's political direction. Doyin Okupe, the former Director-General of the Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign Organisation, left the Labour Party and became critical of Obi's choices. Kenneth Okonkwo, a prominent campaign spokesperson for Obi in 2023, parted ways with the former Anambra governor and criticized his political strategy.\n\nValentine Ozigbo, a former Anambra State governorship candidate and political ally of Obi, also distanced himself from the Obi camp in 2025. Isaac Balami, who served as the Deputy Campaign Manager of the Obi-Datti presidential campaign, later aligned himself with the All Progressives Congress (APC). The defections and criticisms of these high-profile figures have reignited discussions about the political structure surrounding Peter Obi as the 2027 general election approaches.",
  "summary": "The defection of Dr Yunusa Tanko, former National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, to the Social Democratic Party, SDP, has added to the list of prominent figures who were once closely associated with Mr Peter Obi but have since parted ways with him or publicly criticised his political direction. Tanko served as a key figure […] 2027: Tanko, Datti, Okupe, Okonkwo, others who parted ways with…",
  "key_points": [
    "Dr Yunusa Tanko defected to Social Democratic Party in 2027",
    "Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed criticized Obi's political direction",
    "Valentine Ozigbo distanced himself from Obi's camp in 2025"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}