The National Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Bolaji Abdullahi has accused Peter Obi of showing no interest in the party’s policy positions during his brief membership, saying he was only interested in obtaining the presidential ticket.
Abdullahi stated this on Monday during an interview with Arise News’ Prime Time program, where he previously described Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso’s departure from the ADC as a setback but not a fatal blow.
Abdullahi stated that the party had spent months developing a manifesto with clear policy positions, but Obi never participated in the process.
“You may invite His Excellency Peter Obi and ask him, what is the ADC position on fuel subsidy? What is the ADC’s framework on security? He doesn’t know, because he’s never been interested. They are just waiting for the tickets to be handed to them,” he said.
He said members of the ADC fell into three categories: those who used the party as a platform to run for office, those committed to ending what they called the ruling All Progressives Congress’s misgovernance, and those who genuinely wanted to build a real political party based on policy.
Abdullahi seems to place Obi in the first group, comparing his actions with party expectations.
“If you say you want to contest election, and you believe in the country, in changing the country, you should know what your party stands for,” he said.
Abdullahi expressed confidence in the ADC’s ability to anchor a credible opposition coalition in 2027.
“No, no, no, absolutely. Maybe it’s a setback, but it’s a temporary setback. We are recalibrating, and we are going to come back stronger. The possibility of a three-horse race, has it dented our chances? Perhaps, but is it mortally so? No,” he said.
He also denied that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has emerged as the favorite for the ADC’s presidential ticket following the departures.
“This party, ADC, is not going to be an SPV for anybody,” he added, adding that former Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi was still a contender.
Obi and Kwankwaso joined the ADC in March 2026 as part of a broad opposition coalition to challenge the APC in the 2027 national elections.
Both men left the party on Sunday, citing internal conflicts, court battles, and what they saw as purposeful attempts to obstruct their participation in the electoral process.
They have since joined the Nigeria Democratic Congress, where they have advocated for an end to litigation-based politics.
Obi had stated that his decision to resign was motivated not by personal ambition but by the need to save Nigeria, citing a pattern of internal crises that he had witnessed in the Labour Party.
