The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has refuted claims suggesting that Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, would be ineligible to pursue their 2027 presidential nomination due to his ongoing LP membership.
Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, Interim National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, clarified this in a telephone interview with the DAILY GAZETTE.
According to him, “Peter Obi is part of the Coalition. Himself and Mallam Nasir El-Rufai were given special concessions by the party because their followers were given tickets to contest elections.”
He explained that the ADC permitted Obi to remain in the Labour Party while his supporters vie for the Anambra State governorship.
“In the case of Mr. Peter Obi, he has candidates for Anambra elections. Mallam Nasir El-Rufai has followers contesting by-elections,” he further clarified.
“The understanding is that since their followers had secured tickets in ADC and SDP, they stay back until the processes are completed. They will be allowed to join fully after the elections.”
Speculation had arisen because other key figures like ex-PDP Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former APC aspirant Rotimi Amaechi, had resigned from their parties.
However, Abdullahi insisted that ADC’s special treatment for Obi is because “he has his followers contesting for the Anambra State governorship election” while similarly granting leeway to Nasir El-Rufai in the SDP for the same reason.
Meanwhile, checks at the Labour Party’s national secretariat on Sunday revealed that Obi’s resignation is not under consideration.
At a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Abuja on Friday, the party reiterated that Obi remains a Labour Party member. They also noted that his association with ADC is personal and flexible.
A representative from Peter Obi Media Reach (POMR) affirmed this stance: “Peter Obi, for now, is a member of the Labour Party. When we reach the bridge, we decide how to cross it.”
