The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has described the exit of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso as both a setback and a moment of relief, insisting the party remains on course for the 2027 elections.
Speaking on Arise News’ Prime Time programme on Monday night, ADC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi acknowledged that the departure of the two high-profile figures was disappointing but not crippling.
According to him, “while it is a strategic loss, it is not a fatal blow to our ambitions.” He noted that although both politicians contributed significantly to the party’s visibility and electoral strength in the last cycle, their influence does not automatically translate into future victories.
Abdullahi further suggested that their exit has eased internal tensions within the party. “In a way, it’s a bit of relief,” he said. “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 emphasized that the ADC does not intend to engage in hostilities with the defectors, maintaining that they are still regarded as partners within Nigeria’s broader political landscape. “We are not going into any dogfight. They are not our enemies,” he added.
Obi and Kwankwaso recently defected to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), a move Obi justified by pointing to what he described as deliberate internal disruptions within the ADC.
Explaining his decision, Obi alleged that “unnamed forces” were orchestrating crises and legal battles aimed at undermining his political aspirations. He compared the situation to his earlier exit from the Labour Party, stressing that his actions were driven by national interest rather than personal grievances.
“I left for the same reason I have always left—because of the need to protect democratic values,” Obi said.
He warned that sustained litigation and engineered instability could weaken the democratic process, arguing that such tactics are often used to edge out perceived opponents. “Citizens suffer when democratic balance is lost,” he stated.
Despite the high-profile defections, the ADC leadership insists the party will regroup and refocus as it prepares for the next electoral cycle.
