Yunusa Tanko, National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, has rejected allegations of extortion raised by Kenneth Okonkwo, saying the party leadership sought to reduce nomination fees to encourage broader participation in its internal elections.
Speaking on Channels Television, according to a video published on the broadcaster’s official YouTube channel on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, Tanko said Peter Obi consistently advocated lower nomination costs to make the political process more accessible.
“I was there when he was saying that we should even try and find a way to reduce the cost of purchasing forms so that many people can be able to buy, as I was at least a witness to that,” Tanko said.
He described claims of financial exploitation within the platform as false, insisting Obi opposed high nomination fees because they could discourage qualified Nigerians from seeking elective office.
Tanko added that official nomination fees were intended only to cover essential administrative expenses and said allegations of unofficial financial demands were not connected to decisions of the party’s central working committee. He urged the public to disregard what he described as misleading narratives and called on political commentators to verify party facts before making public statements.
