The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has dismissed claims suggesting that Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), would be barred from contesting its presidential ticket in the 2027 general elections.
the Interim National Publicity Secretary of ADC, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, clarified that Obi remains eligible to seek the party’s ticket despite his current association with the LP.
Speculations had arisen that Obi, who has recently aligned himself with ADC, might face disqualification since he has not officially resigned from the LP.
Mallam Abdullahi explained that ADC has granted Peter Obi a special concession to remain with the LP for now, as his loyalists are actively contesting for the Anambra State governorship election. He further revealed that a similar arrangement has been extended to former Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, allowing him to remain in the Social Democratic Party (SDP) while his supporters contest bye-elections into federal constituencies set by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“Peter Obi is part of our coalition. He and Mallam Nasir El-Rufai were both given special concessions by ADC and SDP respectively because their supporters have tickets for ongoing elections,” Abdullahi stated.
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He emphasized that once the election processes are concluded, both Obi and El-Rufai would be free to fully integrate into ADC.
A visit by the Nigerian Tribune to the LP secretariat on Sunday confirmed that Obi’s resignation from LP has not been discussed by his camp, led by the Interim National Working Committee (NWC) under former Minister of Finance, Senator Nenadi Usman.
At the recent National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Abuja, the LP reaffirmed Obi’s membership, acknowledging that his involvement with ADC reflects his personal political strategy, which could change at any time.
Meanwhile, the Peter Obi Media Reach (POMR) reiterated that Obi remains a committed LP member but hinted that decisions regarding the 2027 elections would be addressed when necessary.
“Peter Obi, for now, is a member of the Labour Party. When we reach the bridge, we decide how to cross it,” POMR said.
