The Big Tent Coalition has officially launched “Obidient Connect,” a civic technology platform aimed at organising, mobilising, and empowering Nigerians both at home and in the diaspora ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a statement issued by its Director of Media and Communications, Charles Odibo, the coalition said its founder, Pat Utomi, described the platform as a critical link between citizen engagement and democratic renewal in Nigeria.

Speaking at the unveiling, Utomi characterised the initiative as “the historic bridge between the energy of citizens and the urgent task of rescuing Nigeria’s democracy from decay,” citing ongoing challenges such as insecurity, poverty, institutional weaknesses, and concerns arising from the 2023 elections.

He emphasised the importance of structured civic participation, stating: “Expression alone is not power. Organisation is power. Obidient Connect answers the critical question of how to organise the hope of millions into structured civic power at every ward, every polling unit, and across every diaspora community.”

The platform is designed as a citizen-led tool to facilitate voter education, mobilisation, training, and lawful civic engagement. It also incorporates mechanisms for vote protection through structured polling-unit reporting and verification systems.

According to Utomi, Obidient Connect will enable citizens across Nigeria’s 176,864 polling units to transmit certified results to a central dashboard in real time, enhancing transparency and strengthening citizen oversight of the electoral process.

As part of its rollout, the platform has entered into a strategic partnership with Naija We Can, a United States–registered nonprofit organisation, to manage both local and diaspora donations. The collaboration is intended to ensure transparency, accountability, and compliance with Nigerian laws governing political funding.

Utomi noted that funds raised through the platform would be strictly applied to lawful civic activities, including voter education, grassroots organising, media advocacy, and vote protection, stressing that no resources would be channelled to political parties.

At the event, Utomi also announced the appointment of Odibo as Coordinator of Obidient Connect, citing his experience in communications strategy and his role in developing the platform.

“Obidient Connect requires clarity, structure, transparency, and trust, and Charles Odibo embodies all four,” Utomi said, urging Nigerians worldwide to support the initiative.

He concluded with a call to action, encouraging citizens to take ownership of the country’s future: “Nigeria will not change by accident; it will change because citizens decide to own the future.”

The coalition stated that the platform is now publicly accessible and will serve as a central infrastructure for civic organising, vote protection, and democratic accountability in the lead-up to the 2027 elections.