…the ADC was designed as a platform to rescue the country from creeping one-party system.
ABUJA, NIGERIA- The iNews Times | ADC is beginning to witness signs of internal strain as developments within the party point to rising tensions connected to the presidential ambition of former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, amid ongoing preparations for the 2027 general elections.
Investigations by iNews Times indicate that the fault lines within the party are largely connected to the firm position taken by Obi’s supporters, popularly known as the Obidient Movement, who insist that he must emerge as the party’s presidential candidate or risk their withdrawal from the coalition.
Sources familiar with the situation disclosed that this stance has unsettled several ADC leaders, particularly those from the northern part of the country, some of whom have reportedly begun distancing themselves from Obi, citing what they describe as an uncompromising and domineering posture by his promoters.
Peter Obi, a prominent figure in the opposition coalition that eventually metamorphosed into the ADC, officially joined the party on December 31, 2025, during an event held in Enugu. Prior to his defection, the former Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 elections had publicly pledged that he would serve only one term if elected president.
In the build-up to his move to the ADC, Obi had also engaged in alliance talks with the national leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Kwankwaso, who has since been courted by stakeholders within the ADC to contest on a possible joint ticket.
However, members of the Obidient Movement who followed Obi from the Labour Party into the ADC have remained resolute that he must be considered for the party’s presidential ticket. They argue that, in line with Nigeria’s informal power rotation arrangement, the South deserves to retain the presidency for eight years before power returns to the North.
The insistence by Obi’s loyalists has drawn sharp reactions within and outside the party. One of the most vocal advocates of Obi’s presidential ambition, civil rights activist Aisha Yesufu, openly warned that she would oppose the ADC if Obi emerged as a vice-presidential candidate.
In a viral video released shortly after Obi’s defection, Yesufu stated unequivocally that she would work against any ticket in which Obi played a subordinate role. “If Peter Obi runs as a vice president to anyone, I will work against that ticket,” she declared, adding that even if she chose not to support another candidate, she would actively oppose such an arrangement.
Similarly, a professor of political economy and public affairs commentator, Pat Utomi, echoed the sentiment, insisting that Obi must contest the presidency. Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on January 1, Utomi said he would withdraw his support for Obi if the former governor accepted a vice-presidential slot. “The day he becomes somebody’s vice president, I walk away from his corner,” Utomi said.
These public declarations have reportedly heightened tensions between Obi’s camp and that of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, another major figure within the opposition coalition. The rivalry between supporters of both politicians has spilled into the public space, particularly on social media.
In a post on his X handle, Atiku cautioned supporters of both camps against engaging in verbal attacks, warning that such conduct undermines the unity of the opposition and weakens its chances against the ruling party.
Beyond the online exchanges, the iNews Times gathered that the unfolding situation has generated anxiety among ADC leaders who fear that unresolved internal divisions could derail the party’s prospects in 2027.
A senior ADC official in Abuja, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that while the party had not formally split, many stakeholders were increasingly uneasy. According to the source, “There is no official division yet, but there is concern. Some leaders are already aligning themselves with different camps, while others are trying to proceed cautiously. The fear is that the way interests are being pursued could jeopardise our chances in 2027.”
Concerns within the party were further acknowledged by a former National Chairman of the ADC, Ralph Nwosu, who confirmed that party leaders were troubled by the emerging trends. He, however, insisted that those fuelling division represented only a small fraction of Obi’s supporters.
Nwosu maintained that Obi himself remained committed to party unity, adding that the former governor had consistently emphasised that the struggle was about national interest rather than personal ambition. He said Obi had shared minutes of meetings with Obidient groups in which he stressed unity and inclusiveness.
According to Nwosu, many individuals speaking in the name of the Obidient Movement were not even members of the ADC, alleging that some external actors were deliberately attempting to discredit the party and weaken the opposition. He expressed confidence that the party’s primary election process would not fracture the ADC.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, also weighed in, warning that the insistence by supporters of any aspirant that the ticket must go to a particular individual was dangerous. Speaking during the ADC Coalition Hours, Abdullahi cautioned that such rhetoric only served the interests of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Bola Tinubu.
He stressed that winning the party’s ticket alone was meaningless without the unity required to win the general election. Abdullahi urged supporters to desist from vilifying aspirants or regions, noting that all aspirants within the party were qualified and deserved equal respect.
Further criticism came from the Chairman of the ADC Chairmen’s Forum and Kogi State Chairman, Kingsley Ogga, who described the “Obi or nothing” posture as harmful to both the party and Obi’s own ambition. Ogga said politics required negotiation and compromise, not ultimatums.
He warned that if every camp insisted on a single aspirant, the party would become ungovernable, as supporters of other contenders would respond with similar demands. According to him, such rigidity could lead to mass defections if outcomes failed to meet expectations.
Echoing this sentiment, the ADC National Treasurer, Ibrahim Mani, said the party was focused on building a credible alternative to the ruling party rather than promoting individual ambitions. He emphasised that the ADC was designed as a platform to rescue the country from what he described as a creeping one-party system.
In response to the criticisms, the Obidient Movement has rejected claims that it is overbearing or divisive. The National Coordinator of the movement, Yunusa Tanko, said the group was committed to democratic principles and had no intention of imposing its will on the party.
Tanko explained that the movement was merely promoting its preferred candidate in line with democratic norms and had advised its members against antagonising others. He stressed that political competition allowed different groups to market their candidates without undermining collective goals.
Similarly, the National Secretary of the Coalition of United Political Parties, Peter Ameh, an Obi loyalist, argued that Obi’s supporters should not be silenced under the guise of unity. He maintained that open competition and free expression strengthened political parties and helped identify candidates capable of winning elections.
As the ADC continues its efforts to consolidate as a formidable opposition force, party leaders face the delicate task of balancing ambition, unity and strategy, an outcome that may ultimately shape the party’s fate in the 2027 elections.
