The Director General of the Labour Party’s (LP) Directorate of Mobilization and Integration (DMI), Marcel Ngogbehei, has paid glowing tribute to Oseloka Obaze, an ally of Peter Obi on the occasion of his 70th birthday, describing him as a true statesman and one of the foundational pillars of the Obidient Movement.
In a heartfelt birthday message, Ngogbehei recalled Obaze’s instrumental role in bringing together the original 14 leaders of the Obidient core support group, a move he said ignited the widespread movement that went on to galvanize support for Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, during the 2023 elections.
“You brought us together not just with vision, but with a rare kind of purpose and integrity,” Ngogbehei said in a birthday message made available to our reporter on Wednesday.
“You didn’t just guide us, you led with humility and strategy”, the LP Chieftain added.
Highlighting Obaze’s behind-the-scenes contributions, Ngogbehei credited him as the mastermind of the 2022 Obidient Movement and Labour Party Leadership Summit held at the International Conference Centre in Abuja.
He revealed that the summit’s budget was drawn up and approved in Obaze’s hotel room, with financial support secured through direct engagement with Labour Party leadership.
Ngogbehei also reflected on Obaze’s creative mentorship style, referencing a moment when the elder statesman used music lyrics to inspire and challenge the group to remain purpose-driven.
“You didn’t just sing that song randomly. It was your way of admonishing us—to hold onto the purity of our purpose,” he recounted.
Concluding his message, Ngogbehei expressed deep appreciation for Obaze’s selfless leadership, saying, “today, we celebrate not just your birthday, but your unwavering commitment to truth, nation-building, and selfless leadership. Your impact is eternal.”
Oseloka Obaze, a respected diplomat and politician, has long been recognized as a strategic thinker and a close ally of Peter Obi.
His influence within the Obidient Movement continues to resonate among supporters of reform-driven politics in Nigeria.
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