Adc ‘fight’ to keep Peter Obi, saying he will not return to PDP

Spokesman for the opposition coalition under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Bolaji Abdullahi, has confirmed that the presidential candidate of the Labor Party (LP) in the 2023 general election, Bpk. Peter Obi, has been an active member of the coalition from the beginning, although not yet a formal member of ADC.

Speaking during the appearance at Channels Television Politics Today on Wednesday, Abdullahi clarified that Sustainable Obi affiliation with the Labor Party is temporary and strategic.

“Peter Obi has been part of the coalition since the first day. He has attended almost every coalition meeting,” said Abdullahi, former Minister of Sports and Youth Development. “The reason Peter Obi did not enter the ADC as a member of the card carrier was because he asked for leave to complete the election process that involved his supporters in the labor party.”

Abdullahi further explained that similar arrangements had been expanded to the former Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, which allowed him to conclude his involvement with the Congress of All Progressive (APC) before fully integrated into the new opposition block.

His comments came in the midst of speculation about Obi’s political direction in the future, following a statement by the former Governor of Borno State, Ali Modu Sheriff, who earlier this week suggested that Obi be able to return to the people’s Democratic Party (PDP) to pursue 2027 party presidential tickets.

Sheriff, quoting insider information, claims Obi positions to rejoin the PDP, where he previously ran as a vice presidential candidate with former Vice President Atsiku Abubakar in the 2019 election.

However, Abdullahi rejected such claims, insisting the coalition was not a platform designed to promote the president’s ambitions from each individual, including Atiku.

“What I know for sure is that Peter Obi is in the coalition,” he said. “This is not a coalition of Atiku. ADC is not built on anyone’s ambition. What is at stake is far greater than every individual.”

He stressed that the coalition aims to present the unity front ahead of the 2027 election, offering Nigerians as an alternative to the current government under the President of Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

On July 1, several prominent political figures, including Atiku Abubakar, Nasir El-Rufai, Rotimi Amaechi, and Rauf Aregbesola, officially adopted ADC as a political platform for the opposition coalition. The alliance, consisting of former governors and main political stakeholders, aims to challenge APC’s grip on power and “save Nigerian democracy” in the next election cycle.

The coalition continues to hold consultations in all party paths because it is trying to strengthen its base before 2027.