By Jude Opara
A former chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Prof. Sam Amadi, has argued that the political movement built around has had a profound impact on Nigeria’s democratic space, describing it as one of the most influential political forces of the last 25 years.
In a post on X, Amadi said Obi and the Obidient movement introduced a new level of energy, civic engagement and political participation that significantly altered the country’s political discourse.
According to him, the movement’s influence extends beyond electoral contests, having injected fresh ideas and heightened political consciousness into the national conversation.
Amadi noted that the scale of disruption and public engagement generated by Obi’s supporters is comparable only to major political movements witnessed during Nigeria’s early post-independence era in the 1960s.
He emphasized that recognizing the movement’s transformative impact does not necessarily amount to a judgment on whether its members are right or wrong politically.
Rather, he argued that any objective assessment of contemporary Nigerian politics would acknowledge the role the Obidient movement has played in reshaping political participation and public debate.
The former NERC chairman also encouraged Obi and his supporters to remain active and committed as preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum.
His remarks add to ongoing discussions about the enduring influence of the Obidient movement, which emerged as a major political force during the 2023 election cycle and continues to shape conversations around governance, accountability and electoral reform in Nigeria.
