The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has refuted speculations that former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, may be planning a return to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the 2027 general elections, Dockaysworld reports.
Speaking in an interview on Arise Television on Monday, ADC spokesperson Bolaji Abdullahi stated that the PDP is no longer a viable platform for any serious presidential contender, alleging that the opposition party is now under the influence of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“Everyone knows that the jugular of PDP is still in the hands of APC,” Abdullahi said. “Peter Obi, more than anyone else, knows that he can’t take the risk of going to the PDP.”
The comments were made in response to remarks by former Borno State Governor, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, who claimed during a Channels Television interview that Obi was preparing to rejoin the PDP to pursue his 2027 presidential ambition.
“As far as this politics is concerned, they (ADC) don’t exist. The information available to me is that any moment from now, Peter Obi will go back to PDP and run as a presidential candidate under PDP,” Sheriff had said.
In his reaction, Abdullahi described the PDP as a compromised and weakened opposition, marred by defections and growing alignment with the ruling party.
“You see PDP governors leaving PDP every day to join the ruling party. You hear PDP governors endorsing President Tinubu as their preferred candidate for 2027. You see PDP bigwigs saying that they no longer believe in this party because it has been compromised,” he said.
Addressing Obi’s involvement in the opposition coalition housed under the ADC, Abdullahi offered a somewhat guarded confirmation.
“Not per se, clearly that Peter Obi is in the coalition regardless of what anybody is saying,” he noted.
He, however, stated that the emergence of the ADC coalition had spurred the PDP into action as it seeks to reposition itself ahead of the next election cycle.
“But it is good to see that it has taken the coming on board of the ADC to get PDP to begin to make some movement,” he added.
While Peter Obi has yet to respond to the latest speculations, he has previously maintained that he remains a member of the Labour Party, even as he continues to engage in opposition consultations.
