The anticipated declaration of former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to contest the 2027 election on the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is sending shockwaves through Nigeria's political landscape, particularly in the South-East geopolitical zone.
Governors Align With APC, Otti Holds Key
The political calculus in the region is shifting rapidly, with governors of four out of the five South-East states already pledging support for President Bola Tinubu's re-election bid on the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket. These governors include Prof. Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra, Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi, Dr. Peter Mbah of Enugu, and Hope Uzodimma of Imo.
All attention is now focused on Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, who remains the sole governor in the zone yet to shift allegiance from the Labour Party. His final decision is seen as critical, with analysts suggesting it will determine the ultimate impact of Obi's strategic move on electoral calculations across the South-East.
A Wave of Defections and Grassroots Fervour
Political observers indicate that Obi's formal declaration is likely to trigger a fresh wave of cross-defections. Many politicians who rode the 'Obidient' wave to success in the 2023 general elections have been patiently awaiting his next move and are reportedly ready to join his new platform.
Commenting on the implications, former Senator Emmanuel Onwe, who represented Ebonyi Central, described the expected declaration as a political explosive. "Peter Obi’s 2027 declaration will detonate like an explosive in South-East politics," Onwe stated. He argued that the move would force a reckoning between the organic, grassroots 'Obidient' movement and the entrenched power of APC-aligned state governors.
ADC: A Strategic Platform and the Otti Dilemma
Senator Onwe clarified that Obi's shift to the ADC is not merely a lure but a calculated embrace of a coalition he has been part of from its inception. The ADC offers a ready-made political structure without the internal crises that have plagued the Labour Party in recent times.
The former lawmaker also highlighted the symbolic weight of Governor Otti's pending decision. If Otti joins Obi in the ADC, he will be hailed as a courageous ally, solidifying his reformist image. However, if he refuses, it may be interpreted as capitulation to APC power brokers, potentially alienating him from the Obidient base. "Either way, Otti’s decision will be symbolic of whether South-East governors stand with the people or with Abuja," Onwe concluded.
In a related development, the Minister of Works, David Umahi, expressed confidence that the South-East would vote for President Tinubu and Governor Nwifuru in 2027, moving beyond sentiment. Speaking at his country home in Uburu, Ebonyi State, during a Christmas homage, Umahi insisted that the region's interests are better secured through strategy and constructive engagement, citing the President's commitment to major infrastructure projects in the area.
As the countdown to 2027 begins, Peter Obi's potential move to the ADC has undoubtedly set the stage for a major political showdown, with the South-East poised to be a crucial battleground.
