In the intricate world of grassroots movements, the dynamics between individuals with contrasting visions can be as explosive as they are foundational. The Holy Scriptures remind us in the Book of Amos, “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” This biblical wisdom aptly encapsulates the journey Marcel Ngogbehei and I embarked on within the Obidient Movement, only to find our paths ultimately diverging over differing beliefs and principles on power and leadership style.
My first encounter with Marcel dates back to 2022, a pivotal year for the Obidient Movement. Marcel had been appointed to lead by the conveners of the Coalition for Peter Obi (CPO). He was nominated by the conveners of Peter Obi Support Group (POSN) where he was a member. CPO was the first collective of Obidient conveners, and later metamorphosed into Obidient Movement Support Group Conveners, and I was one of the conveners who made up CPO as the Director or Mobilization.
However, his autocratic style and questionable methods soon led to a rebellion among the conveners. A significant faction, including those from the POSN, came together and sacked Marcel. Marcel, seemingly defeated, handed in his resignation but did not quietly walk away. Instead, he sought to dismantle the organisation he once led.
Unbeknownst to me at the time, Marcel saw me as a potential ally against the decision by the conveners of the CPO. Exploiting my sense of justice, he fabricated a narrative that the conveners, primarily Igbos, had conspired against him due to his Edo State origins. I believed that if Marcel were to be removed, the process should have been transparent and inclusive.
Driven by a righteous cause, I rallied to his defence, advocating for his reinstatement. My efforts, however, culminated in Dr. Doyin Okupe disbanding the CPO during an online meeting—a decision that left me disheartened. With the CPO dissolved, I too, stepped away.
This episode is one of many documented in my book, “Dreams and Struggles.” It’s available on Amazon for anyone interested in the details. While I won’t delve into those details here, the pattern of conflict resurfaced in 2024, initiated by a phone call to me from Marcel.
He inquired about my going-forwards for the Obidient Movement intentions and his potential role in our shared endeavour. I emphasised the need to return to our roots, using an Igbo proverb: “When someone drops something vital on the floor and doesn’t pick it up again, those watching will think that the person intentionally dropped it.”
Our challenge was clear—after being marginalised by the Labour Party (LP) leadership, the Obidient Movement had lost its vigour and some of its focus. It was time to revive it, providing some kind of direction and purpose under an independent umbrella while still supporting the LP, with our APEX LEADER, HE Peter Obi, giving direction.
In my idea, reconciliation was paramount. For me, the whole idea of working with Marcel again was to show people that reconciliation was possible, no matter how bitter your past. We needed to forgive each other, address accusations, and eliminate distractions. Marcel agreed, attributing some of the discord to paid agents from the opposition aiming to destroy us. His insight seemed to solidify his commitment.
“Kingland,” Marcel said, “One reason I agreed to come back is that those who know nothing about the Obidient Movement are now at the forefront, pushing the core people to the backseat. That won’t happen.”
His words resonated, yet I insisted on avoiding official positions. I made it clear to Marcel that BOTH OF US should initiate the process, step away, and allow others who are not polarising personalities to lead the effort.
We agreed that our role would be to bring together as many Obidients as we can in a WhatsApp Group, inform members of our intentions, organise a meeting, and form a committee CHOSEN BY THE OBIDIENTS. We would remain behind the scenes, providing advice and suggestions.
We shared several other ideas. I told Marcel that AFTER PEACE AND RECONCILIATION, we needed to create a structure for the Obidient Movement by CARRYING EVERYONE ALONG, beginning with HIS EXCELLENCY PETER OBI. Please note that I had previously documented my thoughts on the peace and reconciliation process, as well as the aftermath, for the Movement and sent them to HE PO and our other leaders long before I reconciled with Marcel.
When I presented my ideas on how to harmonise the Movement to Marcel, he suggested we use the Labour Leadership Movement Platform (LLMP) as a platform. I declined because their goals are diverged from ours. We needed to remain wholly Obidient and INDEPENDENT.
Despite Marcel’s initial agreement with my plans, he began to stray from them. Marcel was to create the Obidient Peace and Reconciliation WhatsApp Group and withdraw from being an admin and allow members of the Movement take over. That was the first thing he failed to do, and instead appointed his cronies as admins and together, they began lording it over other Obidients.
I reminded him of our agreement to stay low-profile, emphasising that recognition would come from our efforts in due time. There was no need to be upfront and centre when we are personalities with controversial histories.
Our relationship soured some more when Marcel claimed to be the initiator of the peace and reconciliation process. He is not. It was always my idea which I shared with him and he offered to help co-ordinate the process.
When I confronted him about this obvious theft of my idea, Marcel convened a meeting without involving me. He justified his plans to hand over control of the Obidient Movement to Julius Abure and said that he “cut me off” when I had refused to collaborate with him on this sinister ploy.
On the phone call in which Marcel tried to get me to join him on his plot to becoming “the Obidient Leader”, Marcel was also agitated by Engr. Balami’s intention to contest for the national chairmanship of Labour Party. He hinted that Julius Abure was ready to “fund us” if we helped Abure organise, harmonise, and hand over the Obidient Movement to him (Abure). Marcel suggested to me that we dive into Labour Party politics full-time and exploit the setup for financial gain.
I rejected the idea and cut him off, reiterating that this wasn’t our agreement. We couldn’t betray the Movement or disrupt PO’s structure; it would create chaos among the Obidients. Marcel ended the WhatsApp call abruptly.
The next day, my sense of betrayal deepened as I saw Marcel publish my idea, claiming it as his own. He declared that they were working to integrate the Obidient Movement into the LP, a complete deviation from our original purpose.
In his quest for absolute power, Marcel began to take steps to undermine the Obidient Movement Peace and Reconciliation Committee (OPRC). He had planted a mole in the committee, whom he attempted to use to derail the vision. He sent out his cronies to smear the Committee, accusing them of what Marcel himself was plotting. Marcel’s Harmonisation Committee chair began calling members of the Peace committee, telling them to quit the committee and join his, that the Peace committee is not working with Julius Abure, and they “will not have funding”.
However, because of the strong leadership of the Committee Chairman, Madam Aziza, and the intervention of well-meaning Obidients worldwide, the OPRC would have been scattered by now.
Despite Marcel’s machinations, the OPRC is now fully independent. They don’t take orders from anybody except HE Peter Obi. Every action the committee takes is based on the collective will of Obidients.
For me and Marcel, it is a clash of ambition and principles. Marcel wanted to take over the Obidient Movement. He went too fast and furious with his inordinate ambition by proposing to be made the Director of the Labour Party’s Obidient Directorate. A role he wanted to use to position himself to solidify his self-proclaimed title of ‘The Obidient Leader’.
I on the other hand, have no such grand ambition. I believe HE Peter Obi is the bonfide leader of the Obidient Movement which was named after him. I believe that PO is the only person who has the integrity, the leadership style, the wherewithal to lead Movement. I am content with leading NNPO. I just want the Obidient Movement to be effectively galvanised and positioned to take power from APC in 2027. That is all.
Edo and Ondo Gubernatorial Elections: I am not from any of these states. I have no interest in them. I only support those whom PO endorses.
In Imo State, the LP candidate invited me to be part of his campaign team. After what I saw there from Marcel, Vera, and co, I am not eager to join gubernatorial campaigns unless it’s my home state where I have a stake.
Why did I take the time to document this? So that I don’t have to respond to every take on my person attacking me here.
I created NNPO in 2021 shortly after the Anambra gubernatorial election. The records are there. In 2022, I was living abroad when I activated NNPO. I appointed a director-general for the organisation who wanted to take advantage of my not being physically present in Nigeria and claim she had started the organisation. A group of Obidients mediated between us before the campaign and told her to hand off NNPO, and she did so without resistance, and the matter was put behind us.
I am a Labour Party member and was nominated for the role of Councillor in my Local Government Area by Hon Nkechi Ogbuefi, who was elected under the platform of the Labour Party. I proudly serve the people of Ward 3, Anaocha LGA. I took the appointment after consulting with my leaders in Anambra in the Labour Party.
There is no such thing as “in an APGA government.” The government belongs to the people of Anambra. For instance, do you look at the Labour Party members in the National Assembly and accuse them of serving in an APC Government? This storyline is ridiculous, and Marcel’s puppets who started it know it.
I will not be deterred by all these attacks. Neither will I make myself small to make my critics feel comfortable. It’s a free world. I thought of peace and reconciliation. You are free to think of your own idea and begin working to actualise it for the good of the Movement. I shouldn’t be shamed by idea-less people just because I had an idea or two to move the Movement forward. I will continue to espouse my ideas and continue to work to actualise a New Nigeria. Make your own contribution while I make mine. Together, we are the Obidient Movement.
Thank you for your time.
Justin Kingland is a politician, author, musical artiste, blogger, and influential grassroots activist. He is a founder of Nigeria Needs Peter Obi (NNPO), one of the “Big Six” Peter Obi Support Groups. He tweets from @drmoneydibiaego.
The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author.
