2027: ‘Tinubu Must Stay’ movement names ex- Obi’s ally as DG

Marcel Ngogbehei, a pioneer organiser of the Obidient Movement and former chairman of the Coalition for Peter Obi (CPO), has been appointed Director-General of the Tinubu Must Stay Movement’s alliance with the Directorate of Mobilisation and Integration (DMI), ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The appointment was announced by Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Convener of the Tinubu Must Stay Movement, who expressed confidence in Ngogbehei’s leadership capacity, professional experience and grassroots mobilisation skills.

Abdullahi, who is also the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and Deputy Director of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council, said he had known Ngogbehei for more than 25 years and had worked with him on several projects.

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“I have known Marcel for over 25 years. We have worked together, faced difficult challenges together and delivered results together. I know his character, I know his ability, and I trust him to deliver,” he said.

According to the statement, Ngogbehei’s appointment was informed by his experience in public-sector technology, institutional development, political organisation, philanthropy and community leadership in Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

Abdullahi recalled their professional engagements at Galaxy Backbone Plc and the Central Bank of Nigeria, where they contributed to technology initiatives, including the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS), the Government Data Centre, the CBN Cashless Policy and the establishment of the bank’s Enterprise Architecture function.

He said the Enterprise Architecture initiative helped the CBN achieve savings of more than $1 million.

“These were not just technology projects. They were about making government systems work better, reducing waste, improving efficiency and building institutions that serve Nigerians,” Abdullahi said.

He added that Ngogbehei had demonstrated the ability to translate ideas into practical solutions, expressing confidence that he would bring the same experience to the movement’s mobilisation efforts.

Ngogbehei, a graduate of Computer and Electronics Engineering from Lagos State University, also attended the Sloan programme at London Business School and undertook professional development through Harvard Business School’s HBX programme.

His professional background includes senior technology responsibilities at Galaxy Backbone Plc and the CBN, as well as projects for the UK Civil Service.

Beyond his professional career, he founded GiveBack2Humanity, an initiative focused on youth mentorship, volunteerism and community development. He also established the Marcel Ngogbehei Centre for Cancer Education and Care to promote cancer awareness, prevention and early detection.

In January 2026, he announced a community scholarship programme aimed at promoting academic excellence and expanding educational opportunities for young people.

Politically, Ngogbehei played a role in the mobilisation efforts surrounding Peter Obi’s 2023 presidential campaign. He served as Director of Strategy of the Peter Obi Support Network before becoming chairman of the Coalition for Peter Obi.

He also participated in grassroots mobilisation, voter-registration advocacy and the organisation of the 2022 Labour Party/CPO Leadership Summit in Abuja.

He subsequently became Director-General of DMI, focusing on grassroots coordination, citizen participation and organisational development.

In September 2026, DMI convened a national strategy meeting to consider its future direction and possible partnerships, with Ngogbehei presiding over the session.

The organisation later formalised its alliance with the Tinubu Must Stay Movement, marking a new phase in its political engagement ahead of the 2027 elections.

Meanwhile, the Tinubu Must Stay Movement has challenged opposition parties to present detailed policy alternatives to the government’s programmes, insisting that criticism should be accompanied by practical proposals for addressing Nigeria’s challenges.

The movement said Nigerians deserved clear explanations of how political parties intended to create jobs, reduce the cost of living, improve electricity supply and strengthen education and healthcare.

“Nigerians are tired of promises without clear plans. If you say the government is wrong, tell the people what you will do better. How will you create jobs? How will you reduce the cost of living? How will you improve electricity, schools and hospitals? And where will the money come from?” it asked.

However, the movement acknowledged that President Bola Tinubu’s administration should also be assessed on its performance and delivery of results.