A public affairs analyst, Jide Ojo, has suggested that former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, may have defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) with prior assurances regarding the party’s 2027 presidential ticket.
Diaspora Digital Media reported that Obi, alongside several political leaders from the South-East geopolitical zone, on Wednesday formally joined the ADC in Enugu State, citing the need to build a broad opposition coalition to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of future elections.
Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, Ojo said Obi’s decision could be informed by internal negotiations within the ADC, noting that political realignments are typically driven by strategic interests rather than goodwill.
“Politics is a game of interest. Those involved are not doing it for charity; they want to win power, and whatever platform gives them that opportunity is what they pursue,” Ojo said.
He speculated that Obi may have been given indications that the ADC’s most prominent figure, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, could step aside in his favour, thereby opening the path for Obi to emerge as the party’s presidential candidate.
“Perhaps Peter Obi knows something the rest of us do not. It is possible that negotiations have already been concluded within the ADC that Atiku Abubakar will step down for him,” Ojo added.
The analyst argued that Obi’s public declaration of loyalty to the ADC suggests a level of confidence inconsistent with the likelihood of another imminent defection, particularly amid expectations that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) may register new political parties.
“If he is this confident, it is unlikely he would move again in the near future, even if new parties are registered,” Ojo said.
He also referenced the position of the Obidient Movement, noting reports that Obi’s supporters have previously indicated they would not back him if he were to run as a vice-presidential candidate.
According to Ojo, unconfirmed discussions within opposition circles may also include an understanding that Obi would serve a single term if elected in 2027, allowing power to rotate back to the North in 2031.
“What I’ve heard from the grapevine is that part of the negotiation could be that Peter Obi would do one term if Atiku steps down for him,” he said.
Neither Obi nor the ADC leadership has publicly commented on the claims or confirmed the existence of any such agreement.