The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has described the departure of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso as a "relief" that enables the party to progress without external pressure, even as it admits the move represents a strategic setback.
Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC National Publicity Secretary, made this statement on Monday night during an appearance on Arise News' Prime Time. He noted that while the development is disappointing, it is by no means a "fatal blow" to the party's 2027 electoral ambitions.
Abdullahi acknowledged that Obi and Kwankwaso brought significant numbers from the previous election cycle, but emphasized that those figures do not guarantee future success. He explained that the exits have effectively depressurized the party environment, stating, "In a way, it's a bit of relief. Now we can focus on really doing what we need to do without being under the pressure cooker that they were trying to put us in." He stressed that the ADC does not view the duo as enemies and will avoid a "dogfight," maintaining that they are still seen as allies in the broader political landscape.
Peter Obi, who has moved to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) alongside Kwankwaso, justified his exit by alleging that "unnamed forces" were engineering internal crises and legal battles specifically designed to frustrate his ambitions. He likened the situation to his previous departure from the Labour Party, asserting that his decisions are motivated by concerns for the country rather than personal anger. Obi warned that persistent litigation and orchestrated crises are being used as tools to suppress the democratic process and edge him out of the political space, stressing that "citizens suffer when democratic balance is lost."
