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 elections.
The alliance was agreed upon during a meeting lasting more than five hours in London between Mr Ngogbehei and Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, identified by DMI as the founder of TMS.
The two organisations have ratified the agreement, with DMI’s National Executive Committee approving it at an emergency meeting on Sunday night, October 11, 2026. The TMS Board also endorsed the partnership.
The development marks a shift in DMI’s political engagement. The group participated in grassroots mobilisation for Peter Obi ahead of the 2023 general elections.
Mr Ngogbehei was a pioneer organiser of the Obidient Movement and former chairman of the Coalition for Peter Obi (CPO). He also worked with the Labour Party during the mobilisation for the 2023 elections.
In a statement announcing the alliance, DMI said the decision 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.
The group said it was concerned that the growing “Tinubu Must Go” campaign had not been accompanied by sufficient discussion of alternative policies.
It argued that Nigerians grappling with high food prices, rising transport costs, unemployment and insecurity deserved concrete proposals on how political parties and movements intended to address their challenges.
“If Tinubu must go, what exactly is the alternative?” the group asked.
DMI said the opposition had the right to criticise President Bola Tinubu but should also explain what it would do differently, how its proposed policies would be funded and what ordinary Nigerians stood to gain.
“Government must account for its record. The opposition must account for its alternatives. Nigerians deserve both,” the directorate said.
The group also drew parallels with the political atmosphere ahead of the 2015 general elections, when former President Goodluck Jonathan faced sustained opposition campaigns.
It said the experience highlighted the need to scrutinise promises of change alongside criticism of an incumbent administration.
According to DMI, discussions at the London meeting covered the Tinubu administration’s economic reforms, diaspora investment, infrastructure development and human capital initiatives, including the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme, Digital Literacy for All (DL4ALL), Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), and the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).
Mr Abdullahi, whom DMI described as a member of President Tinubu’s Campaign Council, also discussed policy continuity and the administration’s development agenda.
Speaking after the meeting, Mr Ngogbehei thanked Mr Abdullahi for the engagement, saying their discussions had provided insights into the government’s policy direction.
He said the talks covered economic reforms, diaspora investment opportunities, infrastructure development and human capital programmes.
Mr Ngogbehei also expressed appreciation for Mr Abdullahi’s explanations of the administration’s reform agenda and discussions on Nigeria’s long-term development.
Beyond the political alliance, DMI announced plans to establish a permanent civic-accountability programme to scrutinise political promises, proposed solutions, funding arrangements and their impact on citizens.
The group said the programme would continue beyond the 2027 elections.
DMI also said it had more than 500 coordinators across the states and the Federal Capital Territory, as well as over 11,000 local government area coordinators nationwide.
Mr Ngogbehei said the alliance would open a new chapter 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.
With the agreement ratified by both organisations, DMI and TMS are expected to coordinate their public engagement and policy-related activities ahead of the 2027 elections.