ABUJA — The Obidient Movement has rejected an ultimatum from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) urging members of the opposition coalition to resign from their parties and join the ADC, insisting its leader and 2023 Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, is “not desperate” to become president in 2027.
National Coordinator Dr. Tanko Yunusa said Friday the ADC’s directive—announced by party spokesperson Bolaji Abdullahi after an ADC caucus meeting—was issued “in bad faith.” Abdullahi had said coalition members were advised to move into the ADC, though no timeline was set.
Yunusa reaffirmed the movement’s support for the wider opposition coalition and acknowledged the ADC’s adoption as the coalition platform, but questioned why previously agreed resolutions were being “altered midway.”
“His Excellency Mr. Peter Obi aligned with the coalition’s position after the Anambra State Governorship Election, extending to the 2027 General Elections,” Yunusa said. “We are therefore concerned as to why the resolution is now being altered.”
He added that Obi—“a leader with a broad national constituency”—will consult widely before any major political decision, and flagged zoning as a core concern if the coalition hopes to be competitive in 2027. With the presidency currently in the South, Yunusa said equity and fairness should guide the allocation of the presidential ticket and principal offices across the coalition to ensure inclusivity and aid nationwide mobilization.
On Obi’s intentions, Yunusa stressed: “Peter Obi is not desperate to be President of Nigeria. His mission is to see Nigeria work—lifting people out of poverty and improving the economy, education, healthcare, and security.” Those goals, he said, align with the Obidient Movement’s focus on good governance.
The statement underscores persistent fault lines within the opposition over structures, platforms, and candidacies ahead of 2027. While the ADC seeks consolidation under its banner, the Obidient Movement is pressing for clear, collectively respected rules—especially on zoning and internal power-sharing—before any wholesale migration or commitments are made.
