Dr. Moses Paul, popularly known as Dr. Mo or MadMo, is a serial entrepreneur, social activist, creativity manager, performer, scholar, organizer and thought leader with an impressive track record in human capital development. Through capacity building, coaching, creative discourses, and interventions that prioritize human ingenuity, he has carved a niche position among top thought leaders, sharing ideas with emerging youth leaders on contemporary approaches to public engagement and leadership.
As the convener of the Free Nigeria Movement—a coalition of civil society organizations, youth and women groups united in pursuit of good governance, responsible citizenship and social activism—Dr. Paul has been at the forefront of advocacy efforts to address social challenges through creative programming and capacity building. Based in Abuja, Nigeria, he now seeks to translate his activism into governance as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) chairmanship candidate for Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) in the February 21st, 2026 elections.
In this interview, Dr. Paul discusses his political aspirations, the role of the Obidient movement in local governance, and his vision for transforming Abuja’s political landscape.
Campaign Strategy and Confidence
Interviewer: What makes you confident about winning the chairmanship seat in the Abuja Municipal Council under the ADC platform?
Dr. Mo: What gives me confidence is not just the platform, but the people. Abuja is tired of recycled leaders and failed promises. We’ve seen the hunger in the eyes of our teachers, the frustration of our market women, the despair of our youth. I’m offering a new kind of leadership—principled, prepared, and people-driven. With the ADC as our vehicle and the Obidients as our engine, we are taking governance back to the grassroots. Our strategy is simple: show up, listen deeply, and act with integrity. That’s the winning formula, and it’s working.
Interviewer: How do you plan to leverage your Obidient background to connect with voters and address their concerns?
Dr. Mo: The Obidient Movement was never just about elections—it’s about values: transparency, empathy, and accountability. These are not abstract ideals; they’re how we plan to govern. I’ve stood with young people during protests, walked with traders facing multiple taxes, and advocated for better education and public service. I am not just their voice, I am one of them. As we campaign, we are organizing town halls in all 12 wards, engaging unions, religious groups, youth, women, and the elderly. We’re not asking for votes—we’re asking people to take ownership of a New AMAC that works for them.
Political Dynamics and Alliances
Interviewer: Can you elaborate on the current dynamics between the Obidients and the ADC leadership? Are there any potential alliances or collaborations being explored within the party?
Dr. Mo: The ADC has opened its doors to the Obidients, not just as supporters, but as builders. We’re currently working with party leadership to ensure our values don’t just sit in manifestos but are lived in structures and decisions. There are ongoing conversations about progressive alliances, especially at the grassroots, because the goal is not just to win elections—it’s to build a system that works. We’re not here for transactional politics; we’re here for transformational leadership.
Interviewer: How do you see the Obidients influencing the political landscape in Abuja and beyond, particularly in the forthcoming local government elections?
Dr. Mo: The Obidient Movement has already redefined the political grammar of Nigeria. We’ve shown that power can come from the streets, not just from state houses. In the local elections, you’ll see a wave of young, competent, and courageous Obidients stepping into leadership. From councilors to chairmen, we’re changing the narrative. Abuja is just the beginning. Once people see what people-first governance looks like, the ripple will spread to other cities and states.
The Peter Obi Factor
Interviewer: What significance does winning the chairmanship seat hold for the Obidients and Peter Obi’s movement in Abuja?
Dr. Mo: Winning AMAC is symbolic. It says that the message of good governance and civic integrity isn’t just national talk—it’s practical and local. It means our movement can translate from protest to policy, from online to offline, from hashtags to legislation. For Peter Obi’s vision to thrive, it must find expression in local government, where the people actually feel governance. A win in AMAC is a signal that the New Nigeria is not a dream—it’s becoming reality.
Interviewer: How does Peter Obi’s endorsement impact your campaign, and what role do you see him playing in your potential administration?
Dr. Mo: Mr. Peter Obi’s endorsement is more than political—it’s moral. His character, work ethic, and commitment to results resonate with our people. His presence reminds voters that leadership should be service, not a title. In governance, I see him as a mentor and moral compass, someone whose insights and advice will help shape policies grounded in prudence, empathy, and data-driven action. But more importantly, I’ll govern in a way that reflects the very principles he champions.
Party Politics and Strategic Positioning
Interviewer: Is Peter Obi considering any alliances or partnerships with other political parties or figures, such as Atiku Abubakar within the ADC?
Dr. Mo: What I can say is that Mr. Obi is a strategic thinker who puts Nigeria first. Any alliance or partnership must align with the values he stands for: transparency, meritocracy, service. That said, within ADC and beyond, conversations are happening among progressives who are tired of transactional politics. Whether Atiku or anyone else fits into that framework is not the issue; the issue is: are we building Nigeria, or recycling problems?
Interviewer: There’s been speculation about Peter Obi’s loyalty to the Labour Party or potential return to the PDP; can you clarify his stance on party affiliation?
Dr. Mo: Peter Obi is loyal to the people, not to a political logo. He joined Labour to give structure to a people’s movement, and he’s stayed consistent with his principles. As far as I know, he’s not interested in playing party games. What matters is the platform that allows him to actualize good governance, accountability, and human capital development. That platform, whether Labour or not, must be clean, credible, and people-centered.
Movement Solidarity and Defense
Interviewer: The recent comments by Wole Soyinka about Peter Obi’s fitness to lead have sparked debate. Can you shed light on the dynamics between Datti Baba-Ahmed and Peter Obi, particularly in light of Baba-Ahmed’s defense of Obi against Soyinka’s remarks?
Dr. Mo: Datti Baba-Ahmed’s defense of Peter Obi wasn’t personal—it was principled. He stood for truth and defended a man whose track record speaks for itself. The relationship between them is built on mutual respect and shared values. What you’re seeing is a unity of purpose in the face of elitist attacks on character and competence. Soyinka has earned his voice, but we earn our legitimacy through the people, and they are speaking.
Interviewer: Does the Obidient movement see itself aligning more closely with any particular political ideology or figure in the near future?
Dr. Mo: Our ideology is clear: servant leadership, integrity, justice, and inclusion. We’re not building around personalities; we’re building systems. If you embody these values, whether you’re in ADC, Labour, or even independent, we can work together. We’re more interested in results than labels. Nigeria has suffered too much for us to keep playing politics as usual.
Core Values and Implementation
Interviewer: What are the core values and principles guiding the Obidient movement, and how do you see these being implemented in governance?
Dr. Mo: Our core values are:
Integrity: No stealing, no excuses.
Transparency: Public funds must be traceable and accountable.
People-first Governance: Policies that touch lives, not just tick boxes.
Youth Inclusion: Not just tokenism, but real empowerment.
Data-driven Leadership: Decisions made with evidence, not ego.
In governance, this means town halls before budgets. It means publishing every contract online. It means buses for school children and fair tax systems for traders. It means appointing local people who live the reality, not imported elites who only show up during elections.
Future Expansion and National Ambitions
Interviewer: Are there plans for the Obidients to expand their influence beyond Abuja politically if/when you win and engage in broader national politics by competing on the ballot with more Obidient representation?
Dr. Mo: Absolutely. AMAC is the springboard. We are grooming leaders already—young men and women with clean records, deep compassion, and a vision for the people. From local government to state assemblies, to the National Assembly and eventually the Presidency, we’re building a pipeline. The era of sit-down-and-watch is over. Obidients will no longer just campaign, they will govern.
Dr. Moses Paul (Dr. Mo) is the chairmanship candidate for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) elections scheduled for February 21st, 2026
