Metro

Tinubu Re-election Campaign Names Ex-Obi Ally Director-General

The Tinubu Must Stay Movement has appointed Marcel Ngogbehei, a former organiser of the Obidient Movement, as Director-General of its alliance with the Directorate of Mobilisation and Integration ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The appointment signals a new political role for Ngogbehei, who previously served as Director of Strategy of the Peter Obi Support Network and Chairman of the Coalition for Peter Obi.

The Chairman of the movement’s Board of Trustees and convener, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, announced the appointment in a statement issued by the group’s Communications Directorate on Wednesday.

Abdullahi said Ngogbehei’s experience in public-sector technology, grassroots mobilisation, community development and political organisation made him suitable for the position.

“I have known Marcel for over 25 years. We have worked together, faced difficult challenges together and delivered results together. I know his character, I know his ability, and I trust him to deliver,” Abdullahi said.

He recalled working with Ngogbehei at Galaxy Backbone Plc and the Central Bank of Nigeria, where they contributed to major technology initiatives, including the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System, the Government Data Centre and the CBN Cashless Policy.

According to him, their work on the CBN’s Enterprise Architecture function helped the bank achieve savings of more than $1m.

“These were not just technology projects. They were about making government systems work better, reducing waste, improving efficiency and building institutions that serve Nigerians,” Abdullahi said.

He described Ngogbehei as a dependable colleague capable of translating ideas into practical results.

“Marcel is not someone who merely talks about problems. He understands how institutions work, how to bring people together and how to turn ideas into practical solutions,” he added.

Abdullahi said Ngogbehei’s previous political experience, particularly his involvement in the Obidient Movement, would help him mobilise support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.

Ngogbehei, a Computer and Electronics Engineering graduate of Lagos State University, also attended the London Business School Sloan programme and undertook professional development through Harvard Business School’s HBX programme.

His professional experience includes senior technology responsibilities at Galaxy Backbone and the CBN, as well as projects for the UK Civil Service.

Beyond his professional career, he founded GiveBack2Humanity, an initiative focused on youth mentorship, volunteerism and community development.

He also established the Marcel Ngogbehei Centre for Cancer Education and Care to promote cancer awareness, prevention, early detection and community support.

In January 2026, he announced a community scholarship programme aimed at promoting academic excellence and expanding opportunities for young people.

In the United Kingdom, he served as Diversity, Inclusion and Equality Representative for South Wales at the UK Civil Service Sports Council and as a South Wales representative for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Politically, Ngogbehei played an organisational role in the mobilisation surrounding Peter Obi’s 2023 presidential campaign.

He served as Director of Strategy of the Peter Obi Support Network and later as Chairman of the Coalition for Peter Obi, participating in grassroots mobilisation, voter-registration advocacy and the organisation of the 2022 Labour Party/CPO Leadership Summit in Abuja.

He subsequently became Director-General of DMI, focusing on grassroots coordination, citizen participation and organisational development.

The group said DMI later formalised its alliance with the Tinubu Must Stay Movement, opening a new phase of political engagement ahead of the 2027 elections.

As Director-General, Ngogbehei is expected to oversee organisational coordination, grassroots engagement and civic-accountability activities.

The movement said its programme would include public discussions on government performance, scrutiny of alternative policy proposals and engagement with communities across the country.

It also challenged opposition parties to present detailed alternatives to the Federal Government’s policies on employment, the cost of living, electricity, education and healthcare.

“Nigerians are tired of promises without clear plans. If you say the government is wrong, tell the people what you will do better. How will you create jobs? How will you reduce the cost of living? How will you improve electricity, schools and hospitals? And where will the money come from?” the movement said.

However, the group acknowledged that Tinubu’s administration should also be assessed on its performance and delivery of promised reforms.

“President Tinubu must be judged by the complexity of the problem he inherited and by what his government delivers. The opposition must also be judged by the solutions it offers. Nigerians deserve answers from both sides,” it added.

Abdullahi said the appointment came as the alliance established its structures and defined its activities.

“At this important stage, we need leadership that understands both people and systems. We need someone who can listen to ordinary Nigerians, coordinate our structures and ensure that our activities are guided by clear objectives and measurable results,” he said.

He expressed confidence that Ngogbehei’s professional background, political experience and community-service record would help the alliance achieve its objectives.