The African Democratic Congress (ADC) constitution has ruled out the former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, from contesting under the party’s platform.
This came as the party’s constitution disqualified individuals affiliated with other political parties from seeking the party’s top ticket.
Obi, who has openly identified with the ADC and declared his intention to contest the presidency in 2027, is yet to resign his membership of the Labour Party.
Meanwhile, the prospects of two other contenders, former vice president Atiku Abubakar and ex-Rivers governor Rotimi Amaechi getting the ticket appear brighter under the party, having resigned their memberships of the PDP and APC respectively.
According to the ADC’s third schedule – guidelines for the conduct of primaries, only registered, card-carrying members of the party who are not affiliated with any other political party are eligible to seek nomination for public office.
This provision, contained in Article 8 on membership, stipulates that a person “must not belong to any other political party,” and if previously affiliated, must have resigned from such membership.
This clause appears to pose a significant hurdle to Obi, who is currently the leader of the Labour Party and has not formally declared any switch to the ADC.
