Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar met with key African Democratic Congress (ADC) stakeholders in Abuja on Thursday to consolidate strategies ahead of the 2027 elections.
Notably absent was the Labour Party’s 2023 flagbearer, Peter Obi, who, however, sent in his apologies and reaffirmed loyalty to the coalition.
Obi is currently in the United States for a three-day reflection visit to Washington, Chicago, and Atlanta.
On Thursday, he was honoured with Honorary Citizenship of Georgia by the State of Georgia during Black Congressional Week Events in Washington, DC.
He used the event to engage U.S. leaders on Africa’s democracy, power, and good governance.
Big Names Join Forces
Those at the ADC caucus included National Chairman David Mark, National Secretary Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, and former governors Nasir El-Rufai, Aminu Tambuwal, and Chibuike Amaechi.
Although still in Labour Party, Obi said he remains committed to the coalition. The ADC leadership has now directed members to resign from their old parties and formally join ADC. No deadline has been set.
National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi confirmed the instruction after the meeting in Abuja.
Obi Camp Clears the Air
Speculation has trailed Obi’s political direction ahead of 2027, with some suggesting he is torn between his crisis-ridden Labour Party, the new coalition-led ADC, or even the main opposition, PDP, which has been actively courting him.
The Obidient Movement dismissed the claims. National Coordinator Yunusa Tanko said, “That is completely false. It has been firmly established that Mr. Peter Obi remains a member of the Labour Party.”
He stressed Obi’s focus: “I have never seen a man as focused on rescuing Nigeria from hardship as Peter Obi.”
Tanko added that Obi’s support base keeps growing because Nigerians see him as a symbol of genuine change.
“Nigerians are yearning for true change and they see Peter Obi providing the true leadership they desire,” he said.
True to Mr Tanko’s description, Obi used the first day of arrival in the US to berate Nigerian leaders for profligacy, and calling for a modest lifestyle by public office holders, if they hope to carry the trust of Nigerians during times of economic distress.
Still, do you believe a merger of these political heavyweights could unseat a maverick politician and now incumbent President Tinubu in 2027? Share your thoughts here→
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