The National Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Bolaji Abdullahi, has alleged that Peter Obi expected the party’s 2027 presidential ticket to be handed to him without any competition.
Abdullahi spoke on Arise TV on Monday night, just a day after Obi and former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso left the ADC for the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC).
Responding to questions that the opposition coalition was already crumbling, Abdullahi said there are three categories of leaders in the ADC.
He said: “One, there are those who are just looking for a platform to contest election, an SPV to contest election, that’s all ADC meant to them.
“There are those who think that ADC presents an opportunity to wrest the country from the misgovernance of APC. There is a third category who believe that ADC coalition gives us an opportunity to build a real political party, not just an SPV, but a real political party that is anchored on something”.
Then, turning to Peter Obi directly, Abdullahi said: “I heard His Excellency Peter Obi said he is not desperate to be President’, but some politicians are just waiting for the tickets to be handed to them on a platter.”
Abdullahi revealed that Obi had requested that the party give him the ticket to govern Nigeria for only one term of four years, after which he would return power back to the North. He also questioned Obi’s familiarity with the ADC’s core principles, alleging the former Anambra governor showed little interest in the party’s policy direction during his brief stay.
“You may invite His Excellency Peter Obi here 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,” Abdullahi charged.
Recall that while Obi was in the ADC, he had repeatedly stated that he would only serve one term to “complete the South’s term” before returning power to the North in 2031. But that proposal did not sit well with other aspirants.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Minister Rotimi Amaechi both insisted on a primary election rather than any consensus arrangement. Amaechi was the most vocal, saying, “If he wins, I will support him, but I don’t agree with those who say ‘consensus candidate.’ Let’s go and face the people, let the people choose who they want in the party. There must be a primary election in the ADC.”
Atiku also initially called for unity but made it clear that his camp was unwilling to step aside without an election, arguing that he brings the experience and “mathematics” necessary to win.
Despite the high-profile exits, Abdullahi described the situation as a setback but not a fatal blow. “Is this a setback? The answer is yes. Is it a fatal blow? The answer is no,” he said, alleging that Obi’s defection had been premeditated for months.
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