Peter Obi Has Been in Coalition Since Day One, Says ADC Spokesman Amid PDP Return Speculation

Fresh political intrigue is brewing in Nigeria’s opposition bloc following new revelations by Bolaji Abdullahi, the spokesman for the African Democratic Congress (ADC), who asserted that Labour Party’s Peter Obi has been an integral part of the opposition coalition from the very beginning. Abdullahi’s remarks, delivered during a live appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, have sparked renewed interest in Obi’s political future and the broader realignment underway among Nigeria’s opposition heavyweights.

Peter Obi: Coalition Member from the Start

Speaking during the televised interview, Bolaji Abdullahi disclosed that Peter Obi, the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, has been fully engaged with the ADC-led opposition coalition since its inception.

“Peter Obi has been part of the coalition from day one. Peter Obi has attended almost every meeting of the coalition,” Abdullahi said, clarifying Obi’s role in the opposition movement. He noted that the only reason Obi has yet to become a formal member of the ADC is due to ongoing political obligations within the Labour Party.

According to Abdullahi, the coalition leadership granted Obi permission to remain with LP temporarily while completing the election cycle with his party, a concession also extended to other political figures such as former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai.

“He asked for leave to complete the election his people were involved in, the same applied to El-Rufai,” Abdullahi explained, adding that their entry into ADC as card-carrying members is expected after those obligations conclude.

Is Peter Obi Returning to PDP?

Speculation over Obi’s political realignment intensified earlier in the week after former Borno State Governor, Ali Modu Sheriff, suggested that Obi may soon rejoin the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and vie for its 2027 presidential ticket.

Sheriff pointed out that Obi had previously run as PDP’s vice-presidential candidate in 2019 and emphasized that the former Anambra governor’s presidential ambitions may draw him back into the PDP fold. He also noted that Atiku Abubakar, a key figure in the coalition, is eyeing another presidential run, creating potential friction within the alliance.

“Atiku has been vice president before, so for him it’s president or nothing,” Sheriff stated. “Peter Obi’s ambition is also to become president. Information available to me is that any moment from now, Obi would go back to the PDP and run as a presidential candidate under the PDP.”

The remarks have fueled uncertainty within political circles about whether Obi will remain with the LP, fully align with ADC, or shift back to the PDP for another shot at the presidency.

ADC Not Built Around Atiku, Says Abdullahi

In response to Sheriff’s remarks, Abdullahi categorically denied that the coalition’s formation revolves around Atiku Abubakar’s political ambition. The ADC spokesman stressed that the opposition bloc is rooted in a shared mission, not individual aspirations.

“This is not an Atiku coalition,” Abdullahi insisted. “The ADC is not built on anybody’s ambition. What is at stake is much bigger than any individual.”

He emphasized the importance of unity and collective strategy over personal political goals, citing his own hypothetical ambition as evidence that many within the coalition have leadership potential but are prioritizing the national interest.

The ADC, adopted as the coalition’s platform earlier this month, has drawn together a formidable lineup of political leaders determined to unseat President Bola Tinubu in 2027.

Political Titans Back ADC Coalition to Challenge Tinubu

The coalition took a major step forward on July 1, when it officially adopted the ADC as its central political vehicle. High-profile politicians, including Atiku Abubakar, Nasir El-Rufai, Rotimi Amaechi, and Rauf Aregbesola, publicly pledged their support for the coalition, signaling a unified opposition front.

Former Senate President David Mark was appointed as chairman of the coalition, with Aregbesola serving as secretary. This structure, supporters say, reflects the coalition’s strategic approach to building a viable alternative to the current All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government.

The ADC’s role has shifted from a relatively minor political party to a major coalition platform, setting the stage for what may become one of the most competitive elections in Nigeria’s recent history.

Obi’s Political Future: Labour Party, PDP or ADC?

While Peter Obi has remained officially silent on Sheriff’s claims and his next political move, Abdullahi’s disclosure confirms that Obi has been working behind the scenes within the opposition coalition. This raises key questions: will he remain with Labour Party, switch to ADC, or return to the PDP for a second act?

Political analysts say Obi’s decision could reshape Nigeria’s opposition landscape. His growing popularity among younger and urban voters, combined with his reputation for fiscal prudence, makes him a pivotal figure for any coalition seeking to challenge Tinubu in 2027.

As the political realignment continues, the ADC coalition’s success may depend on its ability to harmonize competing ambitions and maintain cohesion among its diverse members.