By Daure David, Political Correspondent
In a surprising turn of political developments, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has declared that former Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, cannot contest under its platform for the 2027 elections due to constitutional constraints on party membership.
Loading ...The party’s Third Schedule on Primary Election Guidelines, specifically Article 8 on membership, mandates that any aspirant “must not belong to any other political party.” This provision has effectively shut the door on Obi, who remains a registered and active member of the Labour Party. His media aide, Mr. Tanko Yunusa, confirmed the status, stating, “Well, that will be made public if he decides to do that. At the moment, he is still a member of the Labour Party.”
Obi’s growing alignment with the ADC in recent months had fueled speculations about a possible defection and a fresh presidential bid through the party. However, exits his current party and satisfies ADC’s strict membership requirements, his ambitions under the ADC umbrella remain blocked.
Meanwhile, the ADC National Executive Committee has cleared two heavyweight politicians—former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi—to potentially seek the party’s presidential nomination. Both men have severed ties with their previous political platforms, the PDP and APC respectively, and now meet the constitutional criteria laid out by the ADC.
This political configuration sets the stage for an intriguing race ahead of 2027, with realignments, defections, and coalition talks expected to shape the electoral terrain. While Obi’s next move remains uncertain, his political influence and grassroots momentum continue to draw attention across party lines.
