By Muhammad Mamman
Bolaji Abdullahi, spokesperson for the opposition coalition led by the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has provided clarity on why Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, has not yet formally joined the ADC as a card-carrying member, despite his active involvement in the coalition.
In an interview on Politics Today on Channels Television on Wednesday, Abdullahi explained that Obi requested to remain affiliated with the Labour Party (LP) temporarily to finalise election-related matters involving his supporters within the party. “Peter Obi has been a key part of the coalition from its inception and has attended nearly all its meetings,” Abdullahi stated. “The reason he has not yet become a card-carrying member of the ADC is that he sought permission to complete the electoral processes involving his associates in the Labour Party. A similar arrangement was granted to Mallam Nasir El-Rufai. The coalition leadership agreed to allow them to conclude these processes before formally joining the ADC.”
Obi’s delayed formal membership has sparked speculation about his political plans ahead of the 2027 general elections. On Monday, Ali Modu Sheriff, a former governor of Borno State, suggested that Obi might return to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), where he previously ran as the vice-presidential candidate in 2019. Sheriff argued that Obi’s presidential ambitions could be better realised within the PDP, particularly if former Vice President Atiku Abubakar contests the presidency again in 2027. “Atiku, having served as vice president, is focused on securing the presidency,” Sheriff remarked. “My information suggests that Peter Obi may soon return to the PDP to pursue his presidential candidacy.”
