JUST IN: ADC Dismisses Peter Obi Return Rumours, Says PDP Now Controlled by APC
Sheriff had alleged on Channels Television that Obi was “on his way back to the PDP” to contest the 2027 presidential election.
Advertisements
ADC Dismisses Peter Obi Return Rumours, Says PDP Now Controlled by APC
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has strongly refuted claims that former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, is planning a return to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), describing the party as a compromised platform now under the control of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, made this assertion during a televised interview on Arise TV on Monday, responding to a recent statement by former Borno State Governor, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff.
Advertisements
Sheriff had alleged on Channels Television that Obi was “on his way back to the PDP” to contest the 2027 presidential election.
But Abdullahi dismissed the claim as “wishful thinking,” insisting that Peter Obi remains firmly within the newly formed opposition coalition and would not “risk” returning to a party he described as weakened and under the influence of the APC.
“Everyone knows that the jugular of PDP is still in the hands of APC,” Abdullahi stated. “Peter Obi, more than anyone else, knows that he can’t take the risk of going to the PDP.”
Advertisements
He accused the PDP of systemic decline, pointing to the exodus of governors and party leaders into the APC and recent endorsements of President Bola Tinubu by key PDP figures.
“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,” Abdullahi said.
He emphasized that Peter Obi remains part of the emerging opposition coalition, which includes the ADC, even as discussions about a 2027 flagbearer are yet to begin.
Advertisements
“Our party is one month old. We are not having any conversation about who will be the flagbearer at the moment. We are focused on developing the party, building structures, and establishing systems that demonstrate our commitment to democracy,” he added.
The ADC, one of the new coalition members aiming to challenge the APC’s dominance in 2027, said it will approach the issue of candidacy in a transparent and democratic manner when the time comes.
Meanwhile, the PDP has continued its efforts to woo Obi back. Party leaders such as former Minister of Information, Professor Jerry Gana, have confirmed ongoing talks with the former Anambra State governor.
PDP Deputy National Publicity Secretary Ibrahim Abdullahi also reiterated the party’s desire to see Obi return, describing him as “a very, very great capital for any political party.”
“Peter Obi is our product. We want to get him back, indeed,” he stated.
Obi, who served as PDP’s vice presidential candidate in 2019 before defecting to the Labour Party in 2022, has yet to respond publicly to the renewed calls from the PDP.
