Tuesday’s gathering at the NAF Conference Centre in Kado, Abuja, wasn’t just a book launch — it was the affirmation of a generational shift.
As hundreds convened for the unveiling of “Obi: The Political Change Agent”, a new kind of political consciousness took the stage — one shaped not by traditional party politics but by civic reawakening, youthful resolve, and digital-age organizing.
Authored by veteran journalist Ike Abonyi, the 26-chapter book chronicles the rise of Mr. Peter Obi, former Anambra State governor and 2023 presidential candidate, as the figurehead of a movement that has evolved from online hashtags to physical structures in over 540 local government areas.
But beyond biography, the event spotlighted a critical theme: the emergence of citizen-driven political engagement in an age of disillusionment with the old order.
National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, made it clear that what was unfolding was not merely literary. “We are witnessing a civic transformation,” he said. “This is not about Peter Obi alone — it is about all of us, about building a future anchored on accountability, competence, and community.”
Keynote speaker Oseloka Obaze, former diplomat and state official, captured the spirit of the moment with a charge for bold civic action. “The inevitability of a new Nigeria rests on our willingness to embrace courage over comfort, purpose over passivity,” he said.
Presiding over the event, Acting National Chairman of the Labour Party, Senator Nenadi Usman, praised the book for offering more than political commentary. “It is a generational call to rethink governance,” she said. “This book narrates not just Obi’s story but also the rise of a political awakening led by ordinary Nigerians — many of them young, idealistic, and determined.”
In a striking moment of symbolism, over 200 grassroots Obidient support groups received certificates of partnership, solidifying their role in a movement Dr. Tanko described as “people-first, digitally connected, and locally rooted.”
“This is not just social media activism anymore,” Tanko declared. “It is village meetings, door-to-door advocacy, community rebuilding. From Gombe to Lagos, young Nigerians are saying enough is enough.”
Anambra Labour Party gubernatorial candidate Moghalu George reinforced the message of hope and agency. “We are no longer relying on broken systems. We are creating new paths,” he said. “Good governance is not abstract. It is doable. It starts with citizens who show up, speak up, and stay the course.”
Echoing the room’s fervor, Dr. Tanko concluded with a clear invitation: “Let us build a country that reflects our values, not our frustrations. Let us lead with facts, not fear. The future is not far away — it is here, and it is ours to shape.”
As applause rang out and fists were raised in unity, it was clear that the launch of “Obi: The Political Change Agent” was more than a literary milestone — it was a declaration of civic renaissance driven by a new generation ready to lead Nigeria forward.
