The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called on Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to take a clear position on whether he intends to align with the party ahead of the 2027 general elections. While acknowledging Obi as a key political figure whose involvement would strengthen its coalition efforts, the ADC emphasized that it would not pressure him into joining.
Obi was recently quoted in a YouTube interview with Advocacy for Good Governance as saying that the ADC-led coalition still faced internal issues—particularly concerns over zoning—that needed to be resolved to create a stable and credible alliance. He reportedly expressed faith in the coalition’s leadership, praising elder statesmen like former Senate President David Mark and ex–Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and stressing that his commitment to national development outweighed personal ambition.
However, Obi’s media office later denied that he granted such an interview. His aide, Ibrahim Umar, clarified on Friday that Obi remained confident in the ADC but had made no such statements attributed to him.
Responding to the controversy, ADC spokesperson Bolaji Abdullahi told Sunday PUNCH that the party was not willing to make zoning its immediate concern. According to him, the party’s focus is on presenting Nigerians with a viable and trustworthy political alternative rather than debating which region should produce a presidential candidate.
Abdullahi encouraged Obi to decide whether he truly wished to be part of the coalition, stressing that the party valued him but would not shift its priorities to accommodate premature zoning demands. He added that decisions on zoning would be made at the appropriate time, not as a prerequisite for joining the coalition.
He further rejected characterizations of the coalition as unstable, insisting that the ADC had made remarkable progress in expanding its presence nationwide. He noted that within just five months, the party had established offices in nearly 28 states despite lacking elected officeholders—an achievement he said underscored the coalition’s organizational strength.
Abdullahi also urged Obi to actively participate in strengthening the ADC at the state level, particularly in Anambra, as other leaders were doing in their regions.
Meanwhile, Yunusa Tanko—Obi’s former campaign spokesperson and head of the Obidient Movement Worldwide—appealed to the ADC to allow Obi more time for consultation before making any firm political commitments.
The uncertain political courtship highlights ongoing realignments as parties prepare for the 2027 polls, with Obi’s eventual decision poised to influence the shape and momentum of emerging coalitions.
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