The Directorate of Mobilisation and Integration (DMI), led by Marcel Ngogbehei, a pioneer organiser of the Obidient Movement, has formed an alliance with the Tinubu Must Stay (TMS) Movement ahead of the 2027 general election.
Gatekeepers News reports that the partnership was reached during a meeting in London between Ngogbehei and Kashifu Abdullahi, founder of TMS, who paid him a courtesy visit.
In a statement issued on Monday, DMI said its National Executive Committee ratified the alliance at an emergency meeting on Sunday, while the TMS board also approved the agreement.
Ngogbehei previously served as chairman of the Coalition for Peter Obi (CPO) and worked with the Labour Party during mobilisation efforts ahead of the 2023 general election.
According to DMI, the alliance followed its national strategy session on September 18, where members authorised the leadership to explore new political and institutional partnerships amid the prolonged crisis within the Labour Party.
DMI Questions Opposition’s Alternatives
Explaining the rationale behind the partnership, DMI said the growing “Tinubu Must Go” campaign had not been accompanied by sufficient public discussion of alternative policies, in its assessment.
The organisation acknowledged the opposition’s right to criticise President Bola Tinubu but argued that opposition parties should also explain how their proposed policies would differ from those of the incumbent administration, how they would be funded and what benefits they would deliver to Nigerians.
“Government must account for its record. The opposition must account for its alternatives. Nigerians deserve both,” the directorate stated.
DMI also drew parallels with the political atmosphere ahead of the 2015 general election, when former President Goodluck Jonathan faced intense opposition campaigns.
It said the experience underscored the importance of examining proposed alternatives alongside criticism of an incumbent government.
Speaking after the meeting, Ngogbehei expressed appreciation to Abdullahi for the discussions on Nigeria’s economic reforms and development priorities.
“I wish to express my heartfelt appreciation to my brother and friend, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi (KIA), the brain behind Tinubu Must Stay (TMS) and a member of President Tinubu’s Campaign Council, whose thoughtful engagement and friendship I deeply value,” he said.
“Our extensive discussions on Nigeria’s economic reforms, diaspora investment opportunities, infrastructure development, and human capital initiatives such as 3MTT, DL4ALL, TVET, and NELFUND provided valuable insights into the administration’s policy direction.
“I am particularly grateful for the time he devoted to sharing information, explaining the reform agenda, and engaging me in meaningful conversations about policy continuity and Nigeria’s long-term development.
“His contribution to these discussions was significant, and I look forward to strengthening our friendship and continuing our constructive collaboration.”
Group Plans Civic Accountability Programme
Beyond the alliance, DMI announced plans to establish a permanent civic-accountability programme to evaluate political promises, proposed solutions, funding arrangements and their implications for citizens.
The organisation said the initiative would continue beyond the 2027 general election, providing a platform for sustained scrutiny of political commitments and policy proposals.
DMI also disclosed that it had more than 500 state and Federal Capital Territory coordinators, as well as over 11,000 local government area coordinators nationwide.
Ngogbehei said the partnership marked a new phase in the organisation’s engagement with national development, public policy and citizen participation.
“Our alliance with the Tinubu Must Stay Movement is about encouraging that conversation. Opposition is a democratic right, but credible alternatives matter,” he said.
