The National Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Bolaji Abdullahi, has criticised former presidential aspirant Peter Obi, alleging that he showed little interest in the party’s manifesto during his time in the coalition formed to challenge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Obi, alongside Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, had exited the ADC for the Nigeria Democratic Progress (NDP), citing a leadership crisis within the party.

Speaking during a Prime Time interview on ARISE Television, Abdullahi questioned Obi’s familiarity with the party’s policy direction, despite efforts to clearly define its ideological stance.

“We set up a manifesto committee that worked for about two to three months to develop a document that clearly outlined what we will do differently,” Abdullahi said.

“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.”

He argued that some politicians are more focused on securing party tickets than engaging with policy frameworks.

“They are just waiting for the tickets to be handed to them. If you say you want to contest election, and you believe in changing the country, you should know what your party stands for,” he added.

Abdullahi described the ADC as a structured party with a defined ideology capable of offering credible alternatives, but claimed some political actors view it merely as a “special purpose vehicle” for personal ambition.

“Everything that the government has thrown at the ADC, we have resisted. We have fought back and remained committed to our goal of rescuing Nigerians from the failure of this government,” he said.

He also referenced Obi’s past position on opposition unity, noting: “Even Peter Obi once said at a coalition meeting that if we present two candidates against Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we would be handing him victory in 2027. So, what has changed?”

Dismissing claims that legal disputes triggered the defection, Abdullahi said the party is dealing with only “three flimsy cases in court,” insisting that such issues could not justify Obi’s exit.

He added that Obi was given significant concessions within the party, including nominating the National Organising Secretary, which he described as the “engine room of the party.”

“None of the aspirants or leaders was given as much consideration as Peter Obi. The office of the National Organising Secretary is the engine room of the party. It handles congresses, elections, and core operations. That office is occupied by his nominee,” he said.

Rejecting claims of bias, Abdullahi maintained that Obi never raised concerns about unfair treatment during his time in the party.

“We met with Peter Obi consistently. He attended coalition meetings regularly. He made it clear he would only join if the ticket was zoned. He took nearly a year to join the ADC and never raised concerns about bias within the party, because there was none,” he added.

Using a metaphor, Abdullahi remarked: “When a woman wants to leave a marriage, she gives all kinds of reasons, including being suffocated by too much love. That is what we are seeing now.”

He further suggested that the defection may have been premeditated, citing a meeting in Kano involving Obi, Kwankwaso, and former Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson.

“After that meeting in Kano, I reached out to Governor Dickson and asked what had transpired. Kwankwaso had been considering joining the ADC, and suddenly, things changed. It raised questions about whether there were efforts to divide the opposition and create an advantage for the incumbent,” he said.

According to Abdullahi, Dickson indicated that the NDP remained an alternative platform open to interested politicians.

“What this suggests is that the defection of Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso was pre-planned. It even raises the question of whether Kwankwaso’s involvement in the ADC was a trojan horse at the onset,” he added.

He concluded that while politicians are free to choose their political platforms, those exiting should avoid what he described as “flimsy excuses.”