Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), has been a consistent member of the newly formed opposition coalition, according to Bolaji Abdullahi, spokesman for the group and chieftain of the Africa Democratic Congress (ADC).
Abdullahi made this known on Wednesday during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he addressed recent speculations surrounding Obi’s future political moves.
“Peter Obi has been part of the coalition from day one,” Abdullahi said. “He has attended almost every meeting of the coalition.”
According to the 9am News report, the ADC spokesman explained that Obi’s absence from the coalition as a card-carrying member of the ADC is only temporary. He noted that the former Anambra State governor was granted permission by the coalition leadership to complete ongoing political activities under the Labour Party, including post-election matters.
“The reason Peter Obi has not come into the ADC as a card-carrying member was because he asked for leave to allow him to complete the election that his people were involved in the Labour Party,” Abdullahi stated.
“The same thing applied to Mallam Nasir El-Rufai and they were allowed to complete the election processes in their respective parties.”
PDP Return Rumours Rejected
Abdullahi’s comments come amid fresh speculation that Obi may return to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the 2027 general election. This claim was made by former Borno State governor Ali Modu Sheriff, who recently suggested that Obi could rejoin the PDP and vie for its presidential ticket.
Sheriff argued that since former Vice President Atiku Abubakar is expected to contest in 2027, and Obi is equally eyeing the presidency, there may be a realignment within the PDP.
“Peter Obi ran under the Labour Party. His ambition is to become President,” Sheriff said. “Information available to me is that any moment from now, Obi would go back to the PDP and run as a presidential candidate.”
However, Abdullahi dismissed these claims, insisting that the coalition is not built around Atiku’s ambition, nor was it formed for any single individual’s presidential campaign.
“What I know for a fact is that Peter Obi is in the coalition,” Abdullahi clarified. “I also know for a fact that this is not an Atiku coalition. Like I have said repeatedly, the ADC is not built on anybody’s ambition.”
The opposition coalition, which adopted the ADC as its platform, was formally launched on July 1, 2025. It comprises several prominent political figures, including:
- Atiku Abubakar (former Vice President)
- Nasir El-Rufai (former Governor of Kaduna State)
- Rotimi Amaechi (former Rivers State Governor)
- Rauf Aregbesola (former Osun State Governor)
The coalition has openly declared its intent to challenge and unseat President Bola Tinubu in the next general election, promising to present a unified front to restore national unity and economic stability.
As of now, it remains unclear which figure will emerge as the consensus presidential candidate. However, with both Atiku and Obi seen as influential contenders, internal negotiations are expected in the months ahead.
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