The opposition coalition built around the African Democratic Congress is still on track, despite the exit of key figures like Peter Obi, according to Paul Ibe, a former media aide to Atiku Abubakar.
Speaking on Sunday, Ibe brushed off concerns that Obi’s departure could weaken the alliance ahead of the 2027 elections.
Instead, he said the movement continues to grow and attract new supporters.
Obi had joined forces with Atiku, former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi, and other political heavyweights in mid-2025, when the ADC emerged as a rallying platform for opposition figures looking to challenge President Bola Tinubu.
After formally joining the party at the start of 2026, Obi announced his resignation on May 3, citing internal divisions, legal wrangling, and what he described as growing mistrust within the party.
But Ibe insisted the coalition remains focused.
“The train is still moving,” he said, using a metaphor to describe the alliance’s progress.
“Some people may have stepped off at what they believe is their stop, but the journey continues and more passengers are coming on board.”
He added that the immediate priority for the coalition is to work with stakeholders to deliver a smooth primary election process in line with the party’s timetable.
The ADC coalition had initially been seen as a major attempt to unify Nigeria’s fragmented opposition, especially after the 2023 elections, where divided votes were widely blamed for the opposition’s loss.
Obi’s entry earlier this year boosted that effort, particularly given his strong backing among young and urban voters.
But behind the scenes, disagreements over leadership structure and power-sharing soon surfaced, eventually leading to his exit just four months later.
While his departure has raised fresh questions about the coalition’s stability, ADC leaders maintain that the alliance is holding together and still building momentum as the race toward 2027 begins to take shape.
