• Party must embrace zoning to the South — Tanko Yunusa
• He’s avoiding competition — NWC member
• Next election will be a three-horse race — Chekwas Okorie
Tension is reportedly brewing within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) over speculation that former Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate Peter Obi is considering another political platform ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Media reports over the weekend suggested that the former Anambra State governor may be planning to dump the ADC for the Action Alliance (AA).
Reacting to the speculation, National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Dr Yunusa Tanko, told Nigerian Tribune that he was unaware of any such move by Obi.
“At the moment, nothing like that is on my desk,” he said. “I know he still maintains a good working relationship with the leadership of the coalition. We’ll wait until after the Anambra governorship election before making further assessments.”
Tanko, however, stressed that the ADC must align with the national sentiment of zoning the presidency to the South.
“Our position is clear — the ADC must be inclusive. If we’re seeking a presidential candidate, it should be from the South,” he insisted.
When asked if Obi might reconsider his relationship with the party should it decide to throw the ticket open, Tanko said: “If the ADC doesn’t zone the ticket, it’s within his right to make his own decision.”
One of Obi’s aides, who spoke anonymously, said it wouldn’t be out of place for the former LP flagbearer to explore other political options.
“Is it a crime to seek another platform?” he asked. “Given the situation in the ADC, it’ll be difficult for him to make progress. Everyone knows who’s being positioned as the likely candidate. So no one should blame Peter Obi if he decides to walk away from what looks like a trap.”
He declined, however, to confirm whether the Action Alliance was Obi’s preferred option.
An interim National Working Committee (NWC) member of the ADC, who also spoke to Nigerian Tribune in confidence, said the party leadership was not surprised by reports that Obi might quit.
The officer dismissed suggestions by Obi’s loyalists that former Vice President and ex-PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, was being favoured for the ADC ticket.
He accused Obi of trying to avoid an internal contest, even after the party leadership had granted several concessions to him.
“What kind of democrat runs away from a primary?” he asked. “We did everything to make him comfortable, including allowing him to nominate the National Organising Secretary — one of the most strategic positions in the party. If after all that he still wants to leave, that’s his choice.”
He also revealed that Obi had proposed that the party should adopt an opinion poll to determine its presidential candidate — an idea the leadership rejected.
“For us, we’re not desperate to have him,” he said. “We’re focused on building a disciplined, structured opposition party where members respect party organs. The momentum he enjoyed in 2023 was largely due to dissatisfaction with the APC’s Muslim-Muslim ticket. Many of those who supported him then are no longer with him.”
Okorie: Expect a Three-Horse Race in 2027
Former All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) chieftain, Chief Chekwas Okorie, in a phone interview with Nigerian Tribune, said Obi is aware that securing the ADC presidential ticket would be nearly impossible.
“For all I know, he has never been a registered member of the ADC,” Okorie said. “Yes, he has been associating with the party and attending meetings, but he hasn’t formally joined.
“He already announced on his X handle that he’ll unveil his political platform in November — and he was clear that he’ll contest the 2027 presidential election.
“Peter Obi knows that within the ADC, he doesn’t stand a chance. The candidate will emerge through a delegate process, and he can’t command the numbers needed. How many local governments are even in the Southeast?”
Okorie added that Obi remains a “beautiful bride” courted by multiple parties, particularly the PDP.
“Let’s wait until November,” he said. “But mark my words — 2027 will be a three-horse race: Atiku Abubakar will likely fly the ADC flag, Bola Ahmed Tinubu will seek re-election under the APC, and Peter Obi will run on another platform.”
