The 36 state chairmen of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) met with Mr. Peter Obi in the Obidient Headquarters in Abuja on Friday, January 23, 2026, in a high-stakes strategic discussion that marked a significant change in Nigeria’s opposition landscape.
The state-level party leadership formally requested the meeting, which provided a forum for in-depth discussions on repositioning the ADC as the main national vehicle for governance reform in advance of the general elections in 2027.
The chairs conducted a thorough analysis of the nation’s developmental issues, concentrating on the breakdown of local government authority and the deteriorating economic circumstances at the community level. They did this by drawing on grassroots realities throughout the federation.
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A crucial part of the meeting was dedicated to discussing the internal restructuring of the ADC to ensure it possesses the institutional capacity to challenge the status quo.
Peter Obi gave a sharp speech during the meeting, stressing that the party needs to be characterised by a new culture of accountability, openness, discipline, and integrity.
He warned against the “toxic allure” of ethnic-driven and patronage-based campaigns, which have historically impeded Nigeria’s progress, and urged the government to shift towards issue-based politics.
Obi emphasised that the party’s leadership at all levels must continue to prioritise the dignity and aspirations of the Nigerian people over the individual or group interests of political actors.
Speaking through their delegates, the 36 state chairmen reiterated their dedication to upholding complete party unity and cultivating an internal democratic culture that strengthens local chapters.
Additionally, the chairmen promised to follow a course of strategic cooperation and ideological clarity in order to portray the ADC as a legitimate, widely accepted political option.
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They also decided to step up recruitment efforts throughout the 774 local government districts, focussing on the women and young people that made up the majority of the “Obidient” movement during the previous election cycle.
This gathering comes in the wake of recent claims of prominent opposition realignments, including the alleged admission of multiple federal senators to the ADC. According to political commentators, Peter Obi and the ADC leadership are starting a concerted effort to unite the “Third Force” into a strong national framework with this strategic meeting.
With this, the party is now transitioning from a phase of intellectual consultation to active political mobilisation for the 2027 elections, as evidenced by the participants’ common mandate to transform the ADC into a reliable tool for sustained development at the end of the session.
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