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Former deputy campaign manager of the Obi-Datti presidential campaign, Isaac Balami, has explained why he left the Obidient Movement and returned to the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying he could no longer remain in a political platform where he saw “no future.”
Speaking during an interview on ARISE NEWS, the aviation entrepreneur and philanthropist said he initially left the APC in 2022 over concerns about the party’s Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket and the alleged marginalisation of Christians and minority ethnic groups. However, he said President Bola Tinubu’s actions in office had changed his perception and addressed many of the issues that prompted his defection.
“I just left because there was a reason why I left the APC—two major reasons. I am a Christian from Borno State… But why should I remain in a place where I see no future, when the person I castigated, insulted and fought has proven me wrong?” Balami said.
The APC stalwart also dismissed claims that he betrayed the Obidient Movement, insisting that his decision to return to the ruling party was voluntary and based on conviction rather than personal gain.
Balami argued that the Labour Party failed to build a strong political structure capable of protecting its votes during the 2023 presidential election, claiming the party lacked enough polling agents and key electoral documents needed to prosecute its case in court.
According to him, despite committing significant personal resources to the Obi-Datti campaign, the party did not show sufficient commitment to strengthening its electoral machinery.
He further praised Tinubu’s administration, claiming it had demonstrated greater fairness to minority ethnic groups than previous governments since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999. He cited local government autonomy, fuel subsidy reforms and increased inclusion of minority communities as reasons for renewing his support for the APC.
Balami maintained that his return was not motivated by appointments or contracts, revealing that he had received neither since rejoining the party. Instead, he said he was convinced by what he described as the administration’s reforms and commitment to addressing the concerns that originally drove him out of the APC.
He added that politics should not be driven by bitterness, stressing that there was nothing wrong with admitting that an opponent had proven one wrong and choosing to work together for the country’s progress.
