Abuja, Nigeria – 26 September 2025 – The Obidient Movement has issued a firm response to a recent directive from the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which it described as an “ultimatum” to former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, urging him to fully commit to the party amid preparations for the 2027 general elections.
In a press release shared on X (formerly Twitter) by Dr Yunusa Tanko, the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, the group reaffirmed its commitment to the coalition’s vision while expressing concerns over what it perceives as a mid-course alteration to the original agreement. The statement emphasised that Mr Obi, known for his consultative approach, must engage widely with stakeholders before responding to the ADC’s demands.
The ADC’s directive stems from a leadership caucus meeting held in Abuja on 25 September, where the party instructed coalition members still affiliated with other political entities to resign their memberships for full recognition within the ADC. According to the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, “Though final order has been given to all members to resign membership of other political parties, the caucus was silent on the timeline.” The meeting, attended by prominent figures including ADC National Chairman David Mark, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former governors Nasir el-Rufai, Aminu Tambuwal, and Chibuike Amaechi, aimed to solidify the coalition ahead of the 2027 presidential primaries and upcoming governorship elections in Osun and Ekiti states. Mr Obi was notably absent but reportedly sent apologies and pledged support for the decisions reached.
The Obidient Movement’s release highlighted Mr Obi’s alignment with the coalition following the Anambra State governorship election, a commitment that was publicly adopted by the ADC and intended to extend through to 2027. “We are therefore concerned as to why the resolution is now being altered midway into the agreement,” the statement read. It further noted that as a key consulting bloc, the movement is keenly interested in the party’s zoning arrangements for the presidential ticket and principal offices, stressing the need for equity, fairness, and inclusivity to ensure effective mobilisation across Nigeria.
The group underscored that Mr Obi is “not desperate to be President of Nigeria,” but rather focused on broader goals such as alleviating poverty, bolstering the economy, enhancing education, healthcare, and security. These priorities, it said, align with the core values of the Obidient Movement and were the impetus for joining the coalition in the first place.
This development comes amid reports of internal tensions within the opposition coalition, with some sources suggesting the ADC is scrambling to address rifts that could threaten its unity. The coalition, formed earlier in 2025 with high-profile defections including Mr Abubakar from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Mr Obi from the Labour Party, was hailed as a united front against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). However, lingering dual memberships have sparked debates, with the ADC clarifying it has no ties to the proposed All Democratic Alliance (ADA).
