ADC hits Obi over manifesto ignorance, says exit a ‘relief’

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticised Peter Obi following his exit from the party, describing his departure as both a setback and, unexpectedly, a relief.

Speaking during an interview on Arise TV, the party’s spokesperson, Bolaji Abdullahi, said while the loss of Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso carries political weight, it also removes internal pressure that had hindered the party’s direction.

He admitted the development was not entirely positive, noting that it represents “a setback,” but was quick to add that it is “not a fatal blow” to the party’s ambitions ahead of the 2027 elections.

Abdullahi, however, took direct aim at Obi’s involvement in the party, accusing the former Labour Party presidential candidate of lacking a basic understanding of ADC’s ideological direction. According to him, Obi showed little interest in the party’s core policies, including its stance on key national issues such as fuel subsidy and security.

“We set up a manifesto committee to define what we stand for, but he doesn’t know because he has never been interested,” Abdullahi said, suggesting that Obi’s focus was primarily on securing the party’s presidential ticket rather than engaging with its policy framework.

He further argued that any serious contender for public office should have a firm grasp of their party’s vision, adding that leadership ambitions must be backed by ideological clarity.

The ADC spokesperson also revealed that the party is leaning towards adopting a consensus candidate for the 2027 presidential race, a strategy he implied was at odds with Obi’s approach. He claimed the former Anambra governor preferred a political structure that could guarantee him the ticket outright.

Obi officially resigned from the ADC on Sunday, just months after joining the party in December. In his resignation letter, he distanced his decision from any personal grievances with party leaders, including former Senate President David Mark and Atiku Abubakar.

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Instead, he cited deepening internal crises, alleging that forces responsible for instability in the Labour Party had begun to resurface within the ADC. Obi warned that ongoing disputes, legal battles, and internal divisions were distracting from the party’s ability to address broader national challenges.

His exit adds another layer of uncertainty to Nigeria’s evolving opposition landscape, even as parties begin to position themselves for what is expected to be a highly contested 2027 election cycle.

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