The former National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Ralph Nwosu, has hinted that winning the presidential ticket would not be easy for the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
Peter Obi formally joined the ADC in Enugu on Wednesday, urging his political allies, members of the Obidient Movement, and opposition leaders nationwide to join the party.
According to Obi, it is time for opposition leaders to join hands and work together to rescue Nigeria in the 2027 election.
“We are ending this year with the hope that in 2026, we will begin a rescue journey.
“We will resist rigging of the election by every lawful means in 2027,” he added.
Speaking with journalists after the declaration, Peter Obi’s aide and National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Yunusa Tanko, said the main aim of joining the ADC is to secure the party’s presidential ticket.
He said, “That’s our aim. By the grace of God, we will achieve it.”
Tanko said the group’s leadership was working to ensure a smooth integration of its members into the ADC following Peter Obi’s formal defection.
He added, “We want to mobilise and enlighten our members on how they can join the party. This is the internal effort we are currently undertaking. We won’t put a figure on the number of youths we will bring into the ADC, but millions of Nigerians will be brought into the party. And the process will continue right up to Election Day.”
However, in an interview with Punch, Nwosu said Peter Obi will have to lobby with other political heavyweights in the ADC to secure the party’s 2027 ticket.
Nwosu also acknowledged Peter Obi’s long-standing involvement with the ADC coalition, noting that while the ADC has prominent political figures, its real strength lies with the people.
He said, “There are many very important persons in the ADC who will compete with Obi to become the party’s standard-bearer in 2027. ADC is a political party. It’s not like some parties where things are done anyhow. In 1998, when we pressured the military to relinquish power which they eventually did in 1999 we all agreed to enter a democratic system. And that is what the ADC stands for.
“There will be compromises and elections. People will lobby each other because everybody is a VIP in the party. If you join today and want to run, you may even be the one who gets the ticket.
“Peter Obi was part of the processes that culminated in the formation of the ADC as a coalition party. He has always been part of it. But we plan to unveil our strategy bit by bit. What you have seen today is just part of our plans for dominance, particularly in the South-East. The personalities are there, but the party has been taken over by the Nigerian people.
“You heard what Aisha Yesufu said at the declaration. I believe the citizens have decided that it will be a contest between them and the oppressors, who are clearly in the APC. Some governors and others may think they can use public funds to influence the system, but the people will teach them a big lesson.”
