The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has urged former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi to make a clear decision about joining the party led coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
While recognising Obi as an influential political figure, the ADC stressed that it would not pressure him into joining. The party says its focus remains on proving itself as a credible alternative to the current political establishment, rather than debating zoning arrangements at this stage.
The call comes after Obi, in an interview with Advocacy for Good Governance on YouTube, reportedly expressed concerns about the stability of the ADC led coalition, citing unresolved issues, including zoning arrangements. Despite his reservations, he reiterated his belief in the coalition’s potential and urged the ADC to address these structural matters to ensure a credible alliance.
Obi reportedly praised the quality of leadership within the coalition, pointing to figures such as former Senate President David Mark and ex Vice President Atiku Abubakar. He emphasised that his primary motivation was not personal ambition but the progress of the nation. “I am not driven by personal ambition. My goal is the progress of the nation,” he said.
However, Obi’s media office later denied authorising the interview. His media aide, Ibrahim Umar, reaffirmed that Obi remains confident in the ADC and its prospects.
Responding to Obi’s remarks, ADC spokesperson Bolaji Abdullahi told Sunday Punch that zoning is not currently on the party’s agenda. “We are not talking about zoning or no zoning right now. Nigerians are still waiting for us to show them what we will do differently. Zoning is not on the table at this point. If that is the condition for Obi to join us, maybe he should wait until that time,” Abdullahi said.
Abdullahi also urged Obi to make a definitive choice about joining the coalition. “We understand what Peter has been saying, but he needs to make up his mind if he wants to be part of the coalition. The most important thing for us is convincing Nigerians that we represent a credible alternative, regardless of where the candidate comes from,” he said.
Highlighting the party’s ambitions, Abdullahi emphasised that the ADC wants Obi to help build a political force capable of reshaping Nigerian politics. “We want Peter Obi to join us in building a party that can reset Nigerian politics and provide a credible alternative to Nigerians. If zoning is the condition for his participation, he should probably wait until we get to that point. Otherwise, we encourage him to make a decision now,” he added.
Abdullahi refuted Obi’s description of the coalition as unstable, citing the ADC’s rapid growth. “It is unfortunate that he used a word like unstable. Our expansion shows stability. Within five months, we have established offices in 27 or 28 states, even without holding a single political office. That is a major achievement,” he said.
The ADC also called on Obi to support the party’s growth, particularly in his home state of Anambra, mirroring efforts by other leaders in their respective states. “We would like to see Peter Obi actively support the party in Anambra. We want him to be part of our journey and help us build a credible alternative for Nigerians,” Abdullahi concluded.
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