Tension is building within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) amid reports that Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, may be shopping for another platform ahead of the 2027 elections. Weekend media reports suggested he could ditch his ongoing courtship of the ADC for Action Alliance (AA), though his allies say no decision has been made and note he hasn’t formally joined the ADC.
Dr. Yunusa Tanko, National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, told Newsmen he was unaware of any such move and maintained that Obi still enjoys a constructive relationship with the coalition’s leadership. “We will wait till after the Anambra governorship election,” he said. Tanko also insisted the ADC should embrace an all-inclusive stance that zones its presidential ticket to the South, adding that if the party keeps the ticket open, Obi would be within his rights to reconsider his options.
An aide to Obi, speaking anonymously, argued that exploring a platform with a clearer path to a presidential ticket should not be ruled out, claiming it would be difficult for Obi to make headway under the ADC’s current dynamics. The aide, however, could not confirm whether AA is the preferred destination.
An interim member of the ADC’s National Working Committee said the party was not surprised by reports that Obi might walk away, but dismissed claims from Obi’s camp that former vice president Atiku Abubakar is the favored ADC presidential hopeful. The official accused Obi of resisting a competitive convention despite concessions, including allowing him to nominate the National Organising Secretary.
He added that Obi had proposed selecting the ADC’s presidential candidate via an opinion poll an approach the official rejected, stressing the party’s focus on discipline and internal processes. He also argued that Obi’s 2023 surge owed much to dissatisfaction with the APC’s Muslim–Muslim ticket and claimed many of those supporters are no longer with him.
Former APGA chieftain Chief Chekwas Okorie told Newsmen that while Obi has attended ADC meetings, he has never been a card-carrying member. He noted that Obi has said on X that he will announce his platform in November and was unequivocal about running for president. Okorie predicted a three-horse race in 2027: Atiku Abubakar on the ADC ticket, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the APC, and Obi on another platform.
