- ADC spokesman said Peter Obi received more support than any other aspirant in the party
- He dismissed claims that internal crises forced Obi’s defection to the NDC
- Abdullahi acknowledged Obi and Kwankwaso’s exit but said it was not a fatal blow to ADC
The National Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Bolaji Abdullahi, has stated that the party gave more support to Peter Obi than any other aspirant during his time with the party.
Abdullahi made the assertion while criticising Obi’s claim that internal wrangling within the ADC contributed to his decision to defect to the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC). Obi, alongside Rabiu Kwankwaso, recently left the ADC in a move that has reshaped opposition politics ahead of future elections.
Speaking during an appearance on Arise Television’s Prime Time, Abdullahi acknowledged that the exit of the two prominent politicians was significant but insisted it did not deal a fatal blow to the party.
“I will be lying to say that their defection didn’t mean anything because these are two significant frontline politicians,” he said. “But it’s not a mortal blow because what we are trying to do is to build a broad-based coalition that would include everyone.”
According to him, the ADC’s broader strategy involves uniting opposition forces to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). He argued that the coalition effort was driven by concerns over the country’s political direction and the need to present a formidable alternative.
Abdullahi also questioned the rationale behind Obi’s defection, particularly his earlier stance on the risks of splitting opposition votes. “Obi said himself that once we present two candidates against President Tinubu, we have given him a chance. I wonder what has changed,” he remarked.
Addressing claims of internal crises and legal disputes within the ADC, Abdullahi downplayed their severity. He said the party was currently dealing with only a few legal cases, which he described as minor and not sufficient to justify the narrative of instability.
“At the moment, we have only three cases which are flimsy,” he said, adding that the portrayal of the ADC as overwhelmed by litigation was inaccurate.
In a pointed remark, Abdullahi insisted that no aspirant within the party had received as much support as Obi. “I can tell you that none of the aspirants and leaders have been favoured like Peter Obi,” he said.
The comments highlight deepening divisions within Nigeria’s opposition ranks, as parties reposition and form alliances ahead of upcoming elections.