The spokesperson of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Bolaji Abdullahi, has stated that the exit of Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso from the party was not sudden, but a carefully planned move.
Speaking on Arise News Prime Time on Monday, Abdullahi described the ADC as a party with a defined structure and clear direction, while accusing some politicians of using the platform to advance personal ambitions.
“Despite all the pressure from the government, the ADC has remained resilient. We have resisted and stayed committed to rescuing Nigerians from what we see as the failures of the current administration,” he said.
He also questioned Obi’s decision to leave, referencing a previous remark by the former presidential candidate.
“We have been working within a party that offers a strong platform to serve Nigerians. Even Peter Obi once said during a coalition meeting that presenting two candidates against Bola Ahmed Tinubu would hand him victory in 2027. So, what has changed?” Abdullahi asked.
Dismissing claims that legal battles forced their exit, he said the party is only handling minor court cases that do not justify such a decision.
Abdullahi further revealed that Obi was given significant consideration within the party, including the opportunity to nominate the National Organising Secretary—a role he described as central to party operations.
“No aspirant or leader received as much consideration as Peter Obi. The office of the National Organising Secretary is crucial—it oversees congresses, elections, and core activities—and it is currently occupied by his nominee,” he explained.
Addressing allegations of bias, Abdullahi insisted that Obi never raised concerns about unfair treatment during his time in the ADC.
“We held regular meetings with him, and he actively participated in coalition discussions. He made it clear he would only join if the ticket was zoned. It took him nearly a year to come into the ADC, and at no point did he complain about bias—because there was none,” he added.
Using an analogy, Abdullahi likened the situation to someone offering multiple reasons to justify leaving a relationship.
“When someone wants to leave a marriage, they give all sorts of reasons—even claiming they are suffocated by too much love. That’s what we are witnessing now,” he said.
While acknowledging that politicians are free to change parties, he stressed that such decisions should not be backed by weak justifications.
Abdullahi also suggested that the move may have been pre-arranged, citing a meeting in Kano involving Obi, Kwankwaso, and Seriake Dickson.
“After that meeting in Kano, I contacted Governor Dickson to understand what had transpired. Kwankwaso had been considering joining the ADC, and suddenly everything shifted. It raises questions about whether there were deliberate efforts to divide the opposition and give an advantage to the incumbent,” he said.
Abdullahi concluded that the circumstances indicate both Obi and Kwankwaso had likely made their decision well before officially leaving the party.
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