The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has dismissed suggestions that Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso left the party on impulse, arguing instead that their departure was carefully orchestrated. Bolaji Abdullahi, the party’s spokesperson, made this assertion during an appearance on Arise News Prime Time, emphasizing that the ADC remains a well-structured organization with a clear vision.
Abdullahi criticized certain politicians for leveraging the party to advance personal agendas rather than collective goals. He stated that despite relentless attacks from the government, the ADC has stood firm, fighting back and staying committed to its mission of rescuing Nigerians from poor governance.
He questioned Obi’s sudden change of heart, referencing a previous remark by the former presidential candidate. At a coalition meeting, Obi had warned that fielding two candidates against Bola Ahmed Tinubu would hand him victory in 2027. Abdullahi wondered what had altered Obi’s perspective since then.
The spokesperson rejected claims that legal battles forced the duo out, describing the party’s court issues as minor and insufficient to justify such a drastic step. He highlighted that Obi was given unprecedented privileges within the ADC, including the authority to appoint the National Organising Secretary—a pivotal role overseeing congresses and elections.
According to Abdullahi, Obi never voiced any grievances about unfair treatment while he was a member. He noted that Obi took nearly a year to join the party, attended coalition meetings consistently, and only agreed to join after the ticket was zoned. The spokesperson compared the exit to a spouse manufacturing excuses to leave a marriage, saying, “When a woman wants to leave a marriage, she gives all kinds of reasons, including being suffocated by too much love.”
Abdullahi further alleged that the move was premeditated, pointing to a meeting in Kano involving Obi, Kwankwaso, and Seriake Dickson. After that meeting, he contacted Dickson to inquire about developments. Kwankwaso had been considering joining the ADC, but things changed abruptly, raising suspicions about efforts to split the opposition and benefit the ruling party.