The African Democratic Congress said the exit of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso from its platform was a setback, though it maintained it was not a fatal blow to its 2027 ambitions.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, stated this on Monday during an appearance on Arise News’ Prime Time programme.
Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, and Kwankwaso, who contested under the New Nigeria Peoples Party, had temporarily aligned with the ADC in a bid to build a broad opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Both politicians have now moved to the Nigeria Democratic Congress, calling for an end to litigation-driven politics as they reposition for 2027.
Abdullahi admitted the impact of their departure but stressed that the party’s goals remained intact.
“Is it a setback? The answer is yes. Is it a fatal blow? The answer is no, because the objectives are very clear. They are still the same,” he said.
Responding to questions about whether the collapse of the coalition effort—featuring two candidates who together secured over seven million votes in 2023—had significantly weakened the ADC’s chances, Abdullahi said past electoral results do not automatically guarantee future support.
He also revealed his personal disappointment over the situation.
“Personally, I’m not happy they left. And I cannot tell you why, because I have my own sentiments. I’m not happy they left,” he said.
However, he noted that their exit had eased internal tensions within the party.
“In a way, it’s a bit of relief. Now we can focus on really doing what we need to do without being under the pressure cooker that they were trying to put us in. I am not disheartened. No, no, not at all,” he said.
Abdullahi dismissed any suggestion of hostility toward the departing politicians, emphasizing that the ADC does not view them as opponents.
“We don’t think they are our enemies. We are not going to go into a dogfight with them,” he said.
Obi had attributed his departure from the ADC to orchestrated internal crises and persistent litigation.
He explained that the decision was not driven by anger, personal ambition, or convenience, but came after careful reflection on Nigeria’s situation and the pressing need to save the country.
He compared it to his earlier departure from the Labour Party, noting that both moves were motivated by the same reason.
He said the situation involved intense, coordinated litigation and internal crises deliberately aimed at excluding him from the electoral process.
He further cautioned that democracy should never be turned into a tool against the people, adding that opposition parties must not be undermined or dismantled, because when democracy loses its balance, citizens ultimately bear the consequences.
