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Parallel Facts Co-founder Bolanle Emiabata-Anibaba |
When Bolanle Emiabata-Anibaba, one of the co-founders of Parallel Fact — a citizen-led fact-checking platform that became a digital conscience during Nigeria’s 2023 elections — announced her withdrawal from the Obidient Movement, it was not just a resignation. It was a reckoning. A quiet, deeply personal but profoundly political act that has rippled through one of Nigeria’s most dynamic socio-political communities.
Her announcement, made through a measured post after weeks of silence, did not come as a rant or a manifesto. It came as a letter — restrained in tone, heavy in implication, and devastating in what it revealed between the lines. “Good evening,” she began, addressing her readers with the grace and calm of someone who has seen storms and chosen peace. “Thank you to everyone who has called, messaged, and checked in over the past 2 and a half months. Your kindness has meant the world. I’ve been unwell (still recovering), and prioritising my health has taken precedence over everything else.”
Then came the quiet detonation. “Unfortunately, I will also be parting ways with the Obidient structure.”
Here's the joint statement below:
Joint Statement: Decoupling from the "Structure" of Obidient Movement
Given a series of manipulative and self-destructive events, we, the undersigned, have decided to decouple ourselves from the present configuration of the structure of the "Obidient Movement" and its "directorate." This has not been an easy decision; it follows a long period of observation, sober reflection, and ultimately, a deep sense of disappointment. The decision to decouple was made even more difficult because Nigeria remains in a state of deep crisis, and work to build a new Nigeria has not yet begun.
When we were approached over a year ago to assist in structuring the movement, we did so with unwavering commitment, driven by a shared vision of a new Nigeria founded on the values of character, integrity, accountability, inclusivity, fairness, and justice. We hope to harness the energy of the youth into a diverse and inclusive collective, transcending traditional political, religious, and ethnic affiliations. We also envisioned leadership that would serve as a beacon of hope for a reimagined Nigeria. We were not, by any means, naïve about the challenges we faced, given the complexity of Nigeria's problems: the restive attitudes, high expectations, and the urgent need for change.
However, in the course of establishing the structure, we experienced attitudes that belied the florid public rhetoric. Instead, we were exposed to the default dysfunctional approach to doing things among Nigerians, petty tricks, and vagueness. What emerged was a fragmented, deep structure with personal opinions that served as theology. These dysfunctional attitudes call into question our credibility and the reasons for our initial involvement.
The atmosphere was characterized by a persistent toxic culture, symbols, performances, and behaviors that contradicted the ideals Nigerians were asked to uphold.
Decisions were arbitrary, and interim positions were viewed as opportunities to exert "power" and "control," or to fill a perceived power vacuum, and rules were routinely circumvented. Repeatedly, the "anyhowness" of Nigeria and the casual disregard for structure, process, and impertinence permeated group work. We witnessed the deliberate undermining of the structure, bad and arbitrary decisions, breaches of confidentiality, and enabling bad behavior. These behaviors contradicted the beliefs of a movement seeking to birth a new Nigeria; they were symptoms of the dysfunction the movement claimed to oppose.
Every facet of the organization, from top to bottom, was marred by a casual and ad-hoc approach to conducting business. What is viewed as a movement is a constellation of enthusiastic sycophants, servile followers, and, sadly, innocent Nigerians hanging on to hope. The movement appears to have been structured to attract pliant individuals.
A critical missing piece is the understanding that leaders are supposed to be answerable to the people and not vice versa. There was always a looming disclaimer that could undermine the work being done. Nigerians are seeking real leadership - leadership with a vision and the courage to charge through the treacherous waters of Nigerian politics, leadership that does not dodge responsibility, or leadership that will not leave Nigerians stranded at a bus stop with no clear destination.
We consistently insist that the diaspora should not be treated as a cash cow. A carefully planned framework to establish local structures to build a formidable force for good was subverted by pedestrian antics. Lacking an understanding of the legal requirements for operating a cross-border non-profit organization, some proffered a dysfunctional, opaque setup that stripped the diaspora of its legal autonomy and obstructed its ability to operate within the laws and regulations of the countries Nigerians have adopted. Ultimately, it became clear that we had been riding on a dirt road in a broken vehicle and had come to a dead end.
We are proud of our service and are uncoupling with a deeper understanding of t challenges we face. We have a clear understanding of the path forward and are unafraid to speak the truth about it. We will continue to advocate for a fair, inclusive, and just Nigeria. We hope to partner with people who are honest, ethical, and committed to the cause of a new and prosperous Nigeria, even if we must do so from outside the structures we have helped create. We remain hopeful that Nigeria's dreams will be realized soon.
We are grateful to all those who have supported and worked with us in good faith.
Signed,
DR. DAVID OGULA
Co-Director, Diaspora Engagement, Obidient Movement
BOLANLE EMIABATA-ANIBABA
Co-Director, Diaspora Engagement, Obidient Movement.
10th October, 2025.
For many who followed her journey through Nigeria’s most youth-driven political awakening in decades, this was shocking. Bolanle had not been a passive participant in the Obidient movement — the loosely organized but fiercely motivated collective that rose in support of Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi during the 2023 elections. She had been a voice of conscience, one of the architects of its moral foundation, and a communicator who championed truth amid the digital noise of propaganda and misinformation. Her platform, Parallel Fact, became a rallying point for Nigerians who wanted data-driven activism, fact-checked claims, and a movement that prized truth over tribalism.
That is precisely why her departure now feels like a punctuation mark — a pause in what had seemed like a never-ending story of digital activism and civic hope.
The Weight of Departure
In her note, Emiabata-Anibaba quoted from a joint statement — one she apparently signed with other like-minded figures who have also chosen to detach themselves from the organisational core of the movement. “We, the undersigned,” it read, “have taken the decision to decouple from the organisational structure of the Obidient Movement. This decision has not been made lightly, but is the result of deep reflection and concern about the direction, values, and attitudes that have come to dominate the structure in recent months.”
That sentence alone tells a story — one of internal conflict, disillusionment, and moral fatigue. The Obidient Movement, born out of frustration with Nigeria’s old political class, had prided itself on moral clarity: character, integrity, accountability, inclusion, and justice. It positioned itself as a break from the politics of deceit and patronage. For Bolanle and many others, it represented not just a candidate, but a creed — a philosophy of what Nigeria could be if its citizens demanded better and acted accordingly.
But every movement that grows too fast risks outgrowing its ideals. And by mid-2024, cracks began to appear within the Obidient community — cracks that were not about ideology, but identity. What began as a decentralized movement of idealists soon found itself struggling with questions of hierarchy, ownership, and tone. Online, the once-constructive network of activists began to resemble a polarized digital mob. Critics were branded “enemies of progress,” dissenting voices silenced or harassed, and political purity became a weapon rather than a virtue.
In private conversations and public observations, Bolanle had grown uneasy. She was not alone. Several veteran activists, analysts, and civic tech leaders who had initially aligned with the movement started expressing discomfort with what they described as “intolerance within the ranks.”
Her exit, therefore, was less about abandonment and more about preservation — of her values, her health, and her commitment to truth.
Health, Humanity, and a Movement’s Fatigue
Her note began with something many missed in the political drama: illness. “I’ve been unwell (still recovering),” she wrote, in what seemed like both a physical and metaphorical confession. For months, she had been silent online, retreating from the digital sphere she once dominated with reasoned posts and sharp analysis. Her colleagues at Parallel Fact had handled most of the public work, citing her need for rest.
To some close observers, her illness symbolized something broader — the burnout that comes from activism in a system that grinds idealists down. Nigeria’s sociopolitical climate is exhausting, often emotionally punishing. Activists, especially women in public leadership, face relentless trolling, misinformation, and weaponized misogyny. Bolanle, as a fact-checker and reform advocate, had experienced all of this.
Her retreat, therefore, also highlights a deeper problem within modern digital movements — the lack of structures to protect their members from burnout, toxicity, and manipulation. The Obidient Movement, while powerful, was never formally institutionalized. Its power came from its chaos — its organic, crowd-sourced energy. But that also meant it lacked boundaries, codes of conduct, or emotional safety nets. In that unregulated digital ecosystem, even the most ethical voices could be drowned out by aggression and ego.
A Fracture in the Obidient Ideal
In many ways, Emiabata-Anibaba’s resignation marks the maturing of a movement — or at least, a moment of self-confrontation. Every social revolution faces this point: when its founders must choose between purity and pragmatism, between what the movement has become and what they originally intended it to be.
The Obidient Movement’s success in mobilizing millions of young Nigerians during the 2023 elections was historic. But its post-election evolution has been turbulent. With the Labour Party embroiled in internal disputes, accusations of hijack, and controversies surrounding its leadership, the Obidient brand has been stretched thin between idealism and political reality.
Observers argue that figures like Bolanle were the conscience of the movement — the ones reminding everyone that integrity cannot be sacrificed for expediency. Her exit, then, represents not just a personal decision but a symbolic protest against what she and others perceive as the corrosion of those founding values.
Parallel Fact and the Pursuit of Truth
It is important to remember what Bolanle represents beyond the Obidient sphere. As co-founder of Parallel Fact, she helped build a digital initiative that sought to hold power accountable regardless of party affiliation. In an era of fake news and partisan spin, her platform became a sanctuary for data, context, and accuracy. Her team fact-checked campaign promises, viral claims, and public speeches — including those from Peter Obi himself — setting a new standard for citizen-led journalism.
In doing so, she carved a unique role for herself in Nigeria’s civic tech space — that of a truth-broker who operated above partisan politics. That independence, however, is precisely what made her uncomfortable within a movement increasingly marked by factionalism. To remain credible, she had to step away from any structure that compromised that impartiality.
Her departure, therefore, may signal not an end, but a rebirth — a recalibration of where civic leadership and accountability must now go.
The Broader Implications
Bolanle Emiabata-Anibaba’s resignation resonates far beyond the confines of Obidient Twitter or the Nigerian political elite. It forces a conversation about what happens to movements when they become institutions — and whether institutions built on outrage can sustain themselves without becoming what they once opposed.
Her message, though brief, carried echoes of disappointment but also hope. “I remain committed to the ideals that first brought us together — character, integrity, accountability, inclusion, and justice,” she wrote. These words were both a reminder and a warning. A reminder of what sparked the movement in the first place, and a warning that those ideals must not be lost in the noise of ambition and ego.
Analysts believe her exit could inspire introspection among other prominent Obidients who have grown wary of the movement’s drift. It may also embolden those who wish to reform it from within, calling for a return to the grassroots-driven ethics that once made it powerful.
Still, others see it as the beginning of a splinter — the gradual fragmentation of a movement that has struggled to find formal leadership. Without a unifying moral compass, the risk of factionalism looms large.
A Woman’s Voice in a Male-Dominated Arena
There is also the gender dimension. Women like Bolanle have always been central to Nigeria’s digital political awakening — from Aisha Yesufu’s fearless street protests to feminist collectives mobilizing during #EndSARS. Yet they often face harsher scrutiny, deeper cyberbullying, and less institutional protection. Emiabata-Anibaba’s quiet withdrawal highlights the double burden women activists carry — to lead with strength while surviving in spaces often hostile to female autonomy.
Her decision to prioritize health, self-care, and ethical consistency over online validation sends a message to other women in activism: stepping back is not surrender. Sometimes, it is resistance.
The Silence That Speaks Volumes
Perhaps what makes Bolanle’s announcement so powerful is not what she said, but what she didn’t. There were no names, no accusations, no bitterness. Just an acknowledgment that something fundamental had changed. It was an exit executed with dignity — and that, in itself, is an indictment of the culture that forced her hand.
As the Obidient Movement continues to grapple with internal transformation, her departure will be studied as a case of moral exit — when silence becomes more revolutionary than speech.
For now, Bolanle Emiabata-Anibaba remains committed to truth, recovery, and rebuilding — perhaps not a political structure, but the ethical compass that movements like the Obidients need to survive. Whether the movement will take her exit as a wake-up call or dismiss it as defection remains to be seen.
But one thing is clear: in a time when truth has become partisan and integrity optional, her departure reminds Nigerians that ideals must always outlive the institutions built to uphold them.
And in her quiet goodbye, she has once again done what she does best — forced a nation to confront uncomfortable truths.
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