Spokesman of the opposition coalition and African Democratic Congress (ADC), Bolaji Abdullahi, has revealed that Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 elections, has been an active participant in the ADC-led coalition from the onset despite not yet officially defecting.
Speaking Wednesday on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme, Abdullahi addressed ongoing speculations surrounding Obi’s political alignment ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“Peter Obi has been part of the coalition from day one. He has attended almost every meeting,” Abdullahi stated.
He explained that Obi requested to remain in the Labour Party temporarily, citing unresolved internal matters and ongoing election-related legal processes involving his supporters.
“He asked for leave to allow him to complete the election that his people were involved in the Labour Party the same thing applied to Mallam Nasir El-Rufai,” he added.
His comments follow claims by former PDP National Chairman, Ali Modu Sheriff, that Obi was preparing to return to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and would likely contest the presidency under the party’s banner in 2027. Sheriff also suggested that Atiku Abubakar, a key member of the coalition, would again run for the presidency.
However, Abdullahi dismissed suggestions that the coalition is being built around Atiku’s ambition, asserting the movement is not centred on any individual.
“What I know for a fact is that Peter Obi is in the coalition. I also know for a fact that this is not an Atiku coalition,” he said.
“The ADC is not built on anybody’s ambition. What is at stake is much bigger than any individual. I am 56 who says I don’t want to be president?”
Unveiled on July 1, the ADC-led opposition coalition has attracted several influential politicians, including Atiku Abubakar, Nasir El-Rufai, Rotimi Amaechi, and Rauf Aregbesola. The group has pledged to form a formidable alternative platform with the goal of unseating President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.
