The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has said the recent defection of Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso from the party to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) is a premeditated move.
ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, in a television interview in Abuja on Monday, maintained that the ADC is a party with clear ideology and structure capable of offering Nigerians credible alternatives.
He however regretted that some political actors were more interested in using the party as a mere “special purpose vehicle” for their personal ambition.
“Everything that the government has thrown at the ADC, we have resisted. We have fought back and remained committed to our goal of rescuing Nigerians from the failure of this government.”
“We have been fighting for democracy within a party that has given us the best chance to serve the Nigerian people. Even Peter Obi once said at a coalition meeting that if we present two candidates against Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we would be handing him victory in 2027. So, what has changed?” he asked.
Abdullahi dismissed the claims that legal challenges influenced the defection, and admitted that the ADC currently faces only three cases.
According to him, Obi received significant concessions within the party, including the opportunity to nominate the National Organising Secretary, a position widely regarded as the operational backbone of the party.
“None of the aspirants or leaders was given as much consideration as Peter Obi.
“The office of the National Organising Secretary is the engine room of the party. It handles congresses, elections, and core operations. That office is occupied by his nominee,”Abdullahi explained.
He described the claims by some of Obi’s supporters that the party was skewed in favour of a particular candidate as assertions were unfounded.
“We met with Peter Obi consistently. He attended coalition meetings regularly. He made it clear he would only join if the ticket was zoned. He took nearly a year to join the ADC and never raised concerns about bias within the party, because there was none,” he added.
According to him, Obi’s defection appeared to have been in motion for some time, citing a meeting held two months ago in Kano involving him (Obi), Kwankwaso, and former Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson.
“After that meeting in Kano, I reached out to Governor Dickson and asked what had transpired.
“Kwankwaso had been considering joining the ADC, and suddenly, things changed.
“It raised questions about whether there were efforts to divide the opposition and create an advantage for the incumbent,” he said.
