(DDM) – A senior political commentator, Hon. Ogbobe Chidera Stanley, has delivered a scathing critique of the emerging political coalition around the African Democratic Congress (ADC), warning that it represents a continuation of Nigeria’s old political order rather than a genuine reform movement.
In a widely circulated political intervention, Stanley argued that the ADC-led coalition’s rejection of zoning is not driven by national unity or equity, but by strategic calculations tied to entrenched political ambitions ahead of the 2027 general election.
According to him, the coalition is structured primarily to advance the long-standing presidential aspiration of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, while leveraging financial influence to dominate internal processes and candidate selection.
Stanley maintained that the coalition’s inclusive posture masks a deeper objective, which he described as an attempt to draw Peter Obi into the arrangement in order to benefit from his credibility, nationwide appeal, and reformist image.
He insisted that the zoning debate cannot be dismissed lightly, stressing that Nigeria’s fragile political balance depends on fairness and power rotation between regions.
Against this background, Stanley argued that the South is morally and politically positioned to produce Nigeria’s next president, following years of northern leadership and deepening national discontent.
He emphasized that the argument is not rooted in ethnicity or sentiment, but in the principles of equity, stability, and national cohesion that have historically guided Nigeria’s informal power-sharing arrangements.
Stanley recalled that during early coalition discussions, Peter Obi proposed a single four-year presidential term, after which power would return to the North, a move he described as a rare demonstration of statesmanship.
He noted that the proposal distinguished Obi from career politicians who view political power as a personal entitlement rather than a temporary responsibility to citizens.
Providing broader context, Stanley referenced the 2023 general election, where Peter Obi, running on the Labour Party platform, galvanized millions of young Nigerians and first-time voters under the “Obidient” movement.
Within a short period, the movement disrupted traditional political calculations, challenged money-driven politics, and exposed public hunger for accountability, transparency, and prudent economic management.
Stanley argued that if Nigeria’s constitution permitted independent candidacy, Obi would already be the most formidable contender for 2027, unencumbered by party infighting, financial gatekeeping, or internal sabotage.
He further accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of fearing a direct electoral contest with Obi, citing worsening insecurity, rising cost of living, subsidy removal shocks, and expanding tax burdens under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
According to him, ongoing crises within opposition parties are not accidental, but reflect deliberate efforts to weaken platforms associated with Obi’s political rise.
He pointed to the leadership crisis in the Labour Party and persistent divisions within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as evidence of calculated political interference.
Stanley warned that Nigeria has reached a defining moment, where the 2027 election will determine whether the country breaks free from cycles of elite domination or remains trapped in economic hardship and governance failure.
He urged supporters of reform to remain patient, united, and focused, recalling that the 2023 momentum was built on collective belief rather than elite sponsorship.
In his conclusion, Stanley framed the political struggle as a contest between continuity and change, asserting that Nigeria’s future now hinges on whether reformist forces can withstand pressure from entrenched interests.
He described Peter Obi as a symbol of that challenge, arguing that the resistance against him reflects fear of accountability and the collapse of long-standing patronage networks.
For Stanley, the coming years will not merely test political parties, but will define Nigeria’s direction as a nation seeking either renewal or regression.
