2027: Obi demands clarity beyond ADC coalition’s unwritten agreements

Former presidential candidate and one of the leaders of the coalition-led African Democratic Congress (ADC), Peter Obi, has said that although coalition leaders have unwritten understandings on zoning, the group needs more than informal arrangements to mount a credible challenge in the 2027 presidential election.

Obi, who maintains he is still a member of the Labour Party while identifying with the ADC coalition, remains the only major bloc leader yet to formally pick up an ADC membership card. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Kaduna State governor Nasir el-Rufai have already completed their registration.

Obi’s continued stay in the Labour Party has fuelled concerns about his commitment to the coalition, amid speculation that he is uncomfortable with the ADC’s position that the presidential ticket should be thrown open.

His supporters argue that an open contest would favour Atiku, seen as a more experienced political organiser who won the last two PDP presidential primaries.

He served as Atiku’s running mate in 2019 before they parted ways in 2023. With both men polling over six million votes each in that election, while President Bola Ahmed Tinubu secured less than nine million, analysts believe a united ticket could have defeated the APC. This outcome ultimately triggered the push for the opposition coalition.

However, the personal ambitions of both leaders are seen as one of the stumbling blocks facing the group.

Speaking in a podcast that went viral yesterday, Obi said the coalition leaders already have an understanding on the presidency, but it remains unsigned and informal.

“Today, we have what we can say are unsigned agreements about the presidency and rotation of offices. This person will come from here, this person will come from there. All these things need to be organised. If you don’t do it, you create confusion for the future,” he said.

“So, it’s not about today; it’s about the future. If we’re going to do anything, let’s look at what will benefit us.”

On when the coalition expects to finalise its agreement, he said: “Forget about it, even if it takes us one week to agree. If Nigerians want this country to change, we can make it change. It doesn’t matter when we start; we can still have three months, six months, eight months, one year to the election and prepare.”

Speaking on his 2027 ambition and party affiliation, Obi said: “Today, I’m a member of Labour Party and I subscribe to the ADC coalition for the 2027 election.

And I believe in it. But as much as I believe in it, I need to know the fundamentals that we all agree to respect. What are we going to do for the average Nigerian? We are not new people; we are still part of the political class.”

He praised coalition leaders such as ADC chairman David Mark and Atiku Abubakar, saying they have the experience and commitment required. But he insisted on clearly defined principles.

“In all this, there are fine lines we need to respect. We must sit down and talk about where we are driving the country to. We must bring new ideas Nigerians will trust—new perspectives—and see how we can provide an alternative that comes with competence and character,” he said.

“We need a new driver with competence, character, capacity, commitment and compassion to drive this new vehicle. We can’t simply say, ‘Let these people go.’ If they go, what is the alternative? We did that in 2015. Again in 2023. Now we must be clear about what we are getting and whether we can trust those driving the vehicle.”

Asked whether he would still support the coalition if he does not emerge as its presidential candidate, Obi said: “That depends. I’m not desperate to be president. I’m desperate to see Nigeria work. I want to see what they are offering.”

Observers say Obi’s reluctance to commit to supporting whichever candidate emerges remains a major concern within the coalition, which fears that if he pulls out, the opposition may repeat the 2023 scenario in which divided votes helped the ruling APC retain power.

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