Obi, Kwankwaso Defection: “A Relief For Us” – ADC Breaks Silence

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, made this known on Monday night during an appearance on Arise News’ Prime Time, where he described the development as disappointing but not capable of inflicting a fatal blow on the party’s ambitions.

Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, and Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), were previously aligned with the ADC as part of efforts to build a broader opposition coalition ahead of the next election cycle. Both politicians later moved to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), where they advocated for a shift away from litigation-driven politics in the country.

Reacting to their departure, Abdullahi maintained that the ADC remained committed to its core objectives, stressing that the party’s political mission remained unchanged despite the realignment.

He admitted that the exit of the two prominent figures was a setback but not a devastating one, noting that past electoral figures should not be relied upon as a guarantee of future outcomes. He also personally expressed dissatisfaction over their decision to leave, saying he would have preferred they remained within the coalition.

However, Abdullahi said the development had also eased internal pressure within the party, allowing it to concentrate more on its strategic goals without external distractions. He further emphasized that the ADC would not view Obi and Kwankwaso as adversaries, adding that the party had no intention of engaging in any form of political confrontation with them.