A social commentator and convener of the Obidient Youth Ambassadors, Aswald Amaechi Ikaegbu, has claimed that Peter Obi lost one of his strongest allies after the 2023 presidential election due to what he described as poor leadership and a culture of ingratitude within the Obidient movement.

In a commentary released on Wednesday, Ikaegbu said aviation expert and entrepreneur Isaac Balami played a critical role in sustaining Obi’s presidential campaign but was not adequately recognized after the election. Balami served as National Deputy Campaign Manager for the Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign Council.

According to Ikaegbu, Balami contributed significantly to campaign logistics, funding, and coordination, including supporting nationwide mobility through resources deployed from his company, 7 Star Global Hangar.

He further alleged that Balami provided vehicles for campaign operations and covered their maintenance and fueling across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory without reimbursement, while also financing flights for campaign activities involving himself, his team, and security personnel.

Ikaegbu also claimed that Balami made personal financial sacrifices to support the campaign and faced professional risks after aligning with Obi, including the loss of high-level patronage linked to the administration of late former President Muhammadu Buhari.

The commentator added that Balami helped expand the Obidient movement’s reach in northern Nigeria by mobilizing youths, professionals, and security personnel, drawing on his influence as a former president of the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers.

He also referenced the late Doyin Okupe, who served as Director-General of the campaign, alleging that he too was not sufficiently acknowledged despite his contributions.

Ikaegbu contrasted Obi’s leadership style with that of President Bola Tinubu, arguing that failure to recognize key contributors could weaken political movements and undermine long-term cohesion and credibility.

He maintained that Balami’s eventual departure from the movement should be viewed as a personal decision rather than an act of disloyalty, and urged political leaders to prioritize recognition and engagement with supporters who contribute to campaign efforts.