The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has broken its silence on the defection of Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, to the National Democratic Congress (NDC). The party's national publicity secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, offered insights into the move during an interview on Arise Television's Prime Time.
Obi's Exit Described as Strategic
Abdullahi claimed that Obi's departure from the ADC was not unexpected and was part of a calculated political strategy. He argued that the former Anambra State governor was seeking a party structure that would guarantee him a direct path to the presidential ticket. "The kind of party Peter Obi needed was the party he is now. A party that belongs to one man, that can say I guarantee you the ticket before he comes in," Abdullahi stated.
Concerns Over Coalition Politics
The ADC spokesperson contrasted the NDC structure with that of a coalition-based political arrangement, insisting that Obi may have found it difficult to operate within a more competitive internal system. "But in a political party like a coalition where a lot of negotiations need to happen, where you cannot take anybody for granted, where you have to make sure you keep everybody within the coalition even when they don't get what they want... I don't think Peter Obi can survive in such an environment, and that is why he's gone to NDC because NDC can promise him the ticket," he added.
Running Mate Ambitions Highlighted
Abdullahi further alleged that Obi's political expectations went beyond securing a presidential ticket, claiming he also wanted influence over the choice of a running mate. He suggested that such demands were part of the broader negotiation dynamics within the coalition he left behind.
ADC Reaction to High-Profile Exits
While expressing disappointment over the departure of Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Abdullahi said their exit had eased internal pressure within the ADC. "Personally, I'm not happy they left, but in a way, it is a bit of relief. Now we can really focus on doing what we need to do without being under the pressure cooker that they were trying to put us in," he noted.
The ADC spokesperson downplayed the political impact of the defections, describing them as a setback rather than a decisive blow to the party's structure. He added that the ADC would not engage in political confrontation with the defectors, stressing that relations remained civil despite the realignment. "We are not going to go into a dogfight with them; they are not our enemy," Abdullahi concluded.
