Nobody defended Peter Obi like Yunusa Tanko in the North — Shehu Sani
Shehu Sani, a former senator representing Kaduna Central, has voiced his surprise at Yunusa Tanko’s departure from the Obidient Movement and his subsequent appointment as national coordinator of the Social Democratic Party’s (SDP) presidential campaign council for the 2027 elections.
Sani remarked on social media platform X that Tanko was one of the most ardent supporters of Peter Obi in northern Nigeria. “Nobody in the Northern part of River Niger has fanatically defended and promoted Dr. Peter like Dr. Yunusa Tanko. What must have happened for Dr. Yunusa to part ways with Dr. Peter?” he wrote, acknowledging the unpredictable nature of politics.
Tanko, who had previously coordinated the Obidient Movement, was announced as the national coordinator during the inauguration of the SDP campaign council held in Abuja. In his new role, he pledged to collaborate with the party’s presidential candidate, Adewale Adebayo, and his running mate, Usman Bugaje, in pursuit of electoral success.
In explaining his political shift, Tanko noted that he resigned from his position as political adviser (North) to Obi on October 30. He attributed his decision to accept the SDP role to his appointment as the leader of the National Consultative Front (NCFront), following the death of former co-chairman Ghali Na’Abba.
Tanko reached out to both Obi and Seriake Dickson, the leader of the National Democratic Congress, to communicate his decision, expressing gratitude for their support during his tenure with the Obidient Movement.
He indicated that his relationship with Adebayo had developed prior to this appointment, emphasizing their shared goal of building a better Nigeria. Additionally, Tanko described the SDP as a left-wing, people-oriented party that seeks to advocate for the interests of ordinary Nigerians, particularly those who have felt overlooked.
