ADC clarifies OBI, El-Rufai is not registered as a member

Apart from the broad speculation surrounding their buyers, the 2023 Labor Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and the former Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, have not been officially inaugurated into the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the party has revealed.

Clarifying the status of the two politicians in a media briefing in Abuja during the weekend, the Secretary of the National Publicity while ADC, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, confirmed that while Obi and El-Rufai remained an influential partner in the ADC coalition, they had not completed official registration as a party member.

According to Abdullahi, the postponement was not due to internal disagreement but came from the need to enable the two leaders to conclude certain political obligations within their former parties.

“They were given space to complete the delayed process, including the election of the interim and election of the governor candidate, in their respective legacy parties,” he explained.

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Abdullahi emphasized that the two leaders remained in depth to the broader political goal of ADC Coalition and were expected to complete their transitions after the process was completed.

He further repeated the commitment of the party to democracy and internal transparency, especially when preparing for the 2027 general election. “There are no candidates anointed at the ADC. Everyone will have a fair and open opportunity to participate for party presidential tickets,” he said.

In concerns about the legal structure of the party, Abdullahi rejected a delayed court report, insisting that the ADC had taken all the steps needed to close the legal gap and remain in accordance with the law of the election.

This clarification emerged in the midst of increasing political planning and coalition talks ahead of the 2027 elections, with several opposition figures who explored the new platform in responding to the increase in dissatisfaction with the decision of all the progressive congress (APC).