The African Democratic Congress has asked the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to decide whether he wants to join the party’s coalition ahead of the 2027 elections.
The ADC said Obi remained an important figure in the political alliance it was building, but the party would not pressure him to join. This followed comments credited to Obi in a YouTube interview where he reportedly described the coalition as unstable because of unresolved matters, including its zoning plan. He also said the coalition needed to settle some “fundamentals” to remain credible.
Although he expressed belief in the coalition and praised the quality of leaders involved, including former Senate President David Mark and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Obi was quoted as saying he was not driven by personal ambition. His media office, however, later announced that he never granted the interview.
While reacting to the situation, ADC spokesperson Bolaji Abdullahi said the party would not follow Obi’s zoning position. Abdullahi explained that the priority for the ADC was to convince Nigerians that it could provide a real alternative.
He said, “We are not talking about zoning now. Nigerians want to know what we will do differently. If zoning is Obi’s condition for joining, then maybe he should wait.”
Abdullahi added that the ADC still wanted Obi in the coalition. He said, “We want Peter Obi to join us in building a party that can reset Nigerian politics and give Nigerians a credible option.” He also dismissed Obi’s “unstable” label and stressed that the coalition was growing.
Obi’s former campaign spokesman and National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, Yunusa Tanko, urged the ADC to give Obi more time. Tanko said Obi needed to consult with his supporters and political allies before making a final decision.
According to him, “Obi needs to embark on wide consultation with his constituency. I appeal to the ADC to give him ample time so he does not make a mistake.”
Tanko also hinted that Obi would likely contest in the 2027 presidential election. He said Nigerians had agreed that the presidency should remain in the South until 2031 and warned that changing the zoning plan could make the election easier for the ruling party.
He said, “Obi will definitely be on the ballot in 2027. He will speak on his decision soon. The stakes are high and many people believe in him, so he must take his time.”