The Village Boys Movement (VBM) has launched a nationwide campaign urging the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to hand over its 2027 presidential ticket to Peter Obi. The initiative, described by organisers as a “2 Million Man March and ADC Registration Drive,” took place simultaneously in multiple states on Saturday, signaling what the group calls growing grassroots support for Obi ahead of the next general elections.
The march spanned Abia, Adamawa, Anambra, Ebonyi, Plateau, Jigawa, Kaduna, Ondo, Ogun, Oyo, Kogi, and Edo states. VBM framed the event as both a public show of backing for Obi and a strategic effort to boost ADC membership through mass registration. In a statement following the exercise, Tochukwu Ezeoke, Village Headmaster of the movement, emphasized that the campaign aims to transform widespread public enthusiasm into a tangible political force.
“This isn’t merely a demonstration; it’s a coordinated national effort to channel the people’s voice into an organised political structure,” Ezeoke said. The movement’s phased rollout across various states was designed to maintain momentum and engagement in the weeks ahead.
The mobilisation adds pressure on ADC leadership to clarify its stance on the 2027 ticket as advocacy groups and voters increasingly advocate for Obi to become the party’s flagbearer. VBM argued that Nigerians’ demand for credible leadership has reached a tipping point, insisting that the party should align with the “popular will” by granting Obi its presidential nomination without delay.
The group’s efforts also reflect broader political discussions ahead of 2027, including debates over power rotation and calls for a Southern presidency. VBM highlighted ongoing consultations within major parties such as the Peoples Democratic Party, All Progressives Congress, and Labour Party, as well as with regional stakeholders, suggesting growing momentum around these issues.
Saturday’s campaign underscores a trend in Nigeria’s political scene, where grassroots movements increasingly seek to influence party decisions and candidate selections, areas traditionally dominated by party elites. By combining public marches with targeted party registration drives, VBM is taking a more strategic approach, aiming to translate popular support into a formal political platform capable of contesting elections.
Describing the march as the start of a “coordinated national awakening,” the group said it aims to mobilize Nigerians in both rural and urban areas to drive what it called a “decisive political shift” in 2027. VBM insisted that the era of “recycled leadership” must end and warned that political parties risk irrelevance if they fail to respond to the electorate’s evolving expectations.
