Peter Obi’s once-promising political romance with opposition leaders in the coalition-backed African Democratic Congress (ADC) appears to be souring—just when the fledgling coalition needs unity to build momentum ahead of the 2027 general election.
The ADC, launched in July with heavyweight figures such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Senate President David Mark, and ex-governors Rauf Aregbesola, Rotimi Amaechi, and Nasir El-Rufai, had been hailed as a major shake-up in Nigeria’s opposition politics. Obi, backed by his massive Obidient movement, quickly joined the coalition—even while still an official member of the Labour Party (LP)—positioning himself as the coalition’s strongest presidential material.
Buoyed by his impressive 2023 performance and a fiercely loyal support base, Obi began pushing narratives that hinted unmistakably at his 2027 presidential ambition within the ADC. He dismissed critics who questioned his alliance with the coalition’s conservative political figures, arguing that he needed “everyone,” including those perceived as “failed leaders,” to help fix Nigeria.
In media interviews, he openly declared his intention to contest for president—not to serve as Atiku’s running mate—and urged northern voters to trust him to confront insecurity in their region. Obi also promised he would need only a single term to turn the country around, a message carefully crafted to appeal to northern political sentiment within the North–South rotation debate.
Meanwhile, his supporters pushed an aggressive “Obi-or-Nothing” campaign, demanding that the ADC hand him the presidential ticket unopposed—a move that sidelined other aspirants within the coalition and stirred disquiet among ADC leaders.
But the tide is shifting.
In a recent interview, Obi hinted that the ADC was already faltering, citing unresolved “unsigned agreements” on zoning and office rotation. His comments drew swift pushback from ADC spokesperson Bolaji Abdullahi, who urged the ex-governor to “calm down,” insisting zoning was not yet up for discussion. Abdullahi also faulted Obi’s tone, suggesting his remarks were out of line with the coalition’s current stage of internal development.
Complicating matters further, critics within the ADC argue that despite his national visibility, Obi has failed to strengthen the party in the South-East. The ADC’s poor outing in recent elections in Anambra—where its governorship candidate finished fifth and its bye-election candidate third—has only hardened that view.
Now, with Atiku officially joining the ADC and actively consolidating support in the North, a quiet power struggle is emerging. His recent political engagements suggest he, too, is eyeing the party’s presidential ticket—and he is building his case steadily.
Obi, caught between the LP and the ADC, must soon make a decisive choice. Will he secure the ADC ticket? Will he run alongside Atiku? Will he retreat to the Labour Party as he did in 2022?
The tune may be changing, but the political drama is far from over.
