Obi will compete for ADC presidential ticket — Ex-national chair
The former National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, Ralph Nwosu, has said the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, will have to lobby with other political heavyweights in the ADC to secure the party’s 2027 ticket.
Obi formally joined the ADC in Enugu on Wednesday, urging his political allies, members of the Obidient Movement, and opposition leaders nationwide to join the party.
The former Anambra State governor, who called on his supporters to unite under a broad national coalition, said his appeal was driven by the urgent need to “rescue Nigeria from poverty, disunity, and democratic decline.”
“This decision is guided solely by patriotism and national interest. I now respectfully call on my political associates, the Obidient Movement, and opposition leaders across the country to join this broad national coalition under the African Democratic Congress. History will not forgive silence in moments of national peril,” he said.
Speaking after the declaration, Obi’s aide and National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Dr Yunusa Tanko, said the main aim of joining the ADC is to secure the party’s presidential ticket.
“That’s our aim. By the grace of God, we will achieve it,” Tanko said.
Tanko said the leadership of the group was working to ensure a smooth integration of their members into the ADC following Obi’s formal defection.
“We want to mobilise and enlighten our members on how they can join the party. This is the internal effort we are currently undertaking. We won’t put a figure on the number of youths we will bring into the ADC, but millions of Nigerians will be brought into the party. And the process will continue right up to Election Day,” he added.
However, in an interview with our correspondent, Nwosu said winning the presidential ticket would not be easy for the former governor.
“There are many very important persons in the ADC who will compete with Obi to become the party’s standard-bearer in 2027. ADC is a political party. It’s not like some parties where things are done anyhow. In 1998, when we pressured the military to relinquish power—which they eventually did in 1999—we all agreed to enter a democratic system. And that is what the ADC stands for.
“There will be compromises and elections. People will lobby each other because everybody is a VIP in the party. If you join today and want to run, you may even be the one who gets the ticket,” Nwosu added.
Highlighting Obi’s long-standing involvement, Nwosu said, “He was part of the processes that culminated in the formation of the ADC as a coalition party. He has always been part of it. But we plan to unveil our strategy bit by bit. What you have seen today is just part of our plans for dominance, particularly in the South-East.”
He stressed that while the ADC has prominent political figures, the real strength of the party lies with the people.
Nwosu said, “The personalities are there, but the party has been taken over by the Nigerian people.
