Eshioromeh Sebastian in Abuja
Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has again delayed his planned move to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), marking the second such postponement this month, Spear News has learned.
The hesitation came as the ADC put down a firm condition, declaring that the zoning of its presidential ticket is “not on the table,” effectively challenging Obi to join now without guarantees or wait indefinitely.
Sources within Obi’s political camp, speaking on condition of anonymity with our correspondent, confirmed that the highly anticipated declaration, scheduled for last week Friday, was shifted again.
Insiders state Obi is still evaluating his options, a process complicated by the ADC’s stance on its presidential ticket.
The ADC’s position, delivered by its spokesperson, Bolaji Abdullahi, a fortnight ago, responded directly to Obi’s previously expressed reservations. “We’re not talking about zoning or no zoning now,” Abdullahi told newsmen.
“If that is the condition for Obi to join us, maybe he should wait till that time.” He framed the issue as an ultimatum, urging Obi to “make up his mind if he wants to be part of the coalition or not,” while reiterating the party’s desire for his membership on their terms.
This declaration recalls the political friction from three weeks ago, when Obi, in a now contested interview, voiced concerns over unresolved issues within the ADC-led coalition, including the zoning arrangement for the 2027 election.
Although his media office later denied he granted the interview, the ADC’s latest comments directly address those purported concerns, closing the door on pre-entry negotiations regarding the ticket’s geographic origin.
Sources described “Obi as being paralysed by a growing conflict within himself and the difficult choices he faces”. While he is said to retain an affinity for the Labour Party, where he ignited the massive “OBIDIENT” movement, sources indicate the party’s protracted crisis has escalated beyond control.
“Obi is regretting why he failed to handle the crisis in the party at the early stage. Even his followers know this,” a source revealed.
Further complicating his decision is the stance of his former running mate, Senator Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, who remains aligned with the Julius Abure-led faction of the Labour Party as against Obi’s faction headed by Senator Nenadi Usman- whose Interime NWC was sacked recently by other forces within the same camp.
Datti’s position is viewed as an effort to broker peace and salvage the party as a viable structure. However, countervailing pressure comes from Obi’s reported belief that the Labour Party has been “infiltrated by external forces,” making its platform potentially unreliable.
The ADC, seen as the most viable coalition option, now presents even starker hurdles. The party is clearly and effectively under the influence of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who is positioning to be its 2027 flagbearer. With zoning officially off the table for now, Obi’s entry would likely force him into a primary contest against Atiku or a negotiation for a secondary role, both scenarios that risk alienating his base which is opposed to the political old guard.
Obi’s repeated delay explains the critical nature of his next move. He is caught between a party he loves but cannot control, a coalition that wants him but on non-negotiable terms, and the millions of OBIDIENT supporters watching closely.
Political analysts suggest the postponement indicates a fierce internal debate over whether to seek immediate electoral relevance through a rigid coalition or to pursue a longer, independent, and riskier strategy of building a new political structure from the ground up.
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