Peter Obi’s ADC Exit Left South-East Behind

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Morning Brief on Thursday, Okonkwo explained that Obi’s withdrawal from the party’s presidential process created uncertainty over who would represent the South-East in the party’s political calculations ahead of the primary election.

Responding to questions surrounding Amaechi’s reported emergence as the running mate to the ADC’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and the former governor’s silence on the development, Okonkwo said the South-East had initially been represented in the process but lost its influence after Obi exited before the exercise was concluded.

He noted that Obi’s sudden departure left the region without a strong voice during crucial negotiations, creating what he described as a vacuum that ultimately altered the direction of the party’s decision-making.

Okonkwo further disclosed that several respected personalities from the South-East were considered for the vice-presidential slot, including Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe and former Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. However, he explained that they were ineligible because they had not fulfilled the minimum membership requirement stipulated by the Electoral Act.

According to him, the law requires a prospective running mate to have been a member of the party for at least 21 days before the conduct of the primary election, a condition that narrowed the ADC’s options and influenced the eventual selection of Amaechi.

He added that Atiku eventually settled for someone he considered geographically and politically closest to the South-East under the prevailing circumstances.

Okonkwo also addressed reports suggesting he had opposed Amaechi’s nomination, insisting that his previous remarks were misunderstood. He stressed that he never criticised the former Rivers governor personally or questioned his qualifications.

While acknowledging Amaechi’s Igbo heritage, Okonkwo maintained that his earlier concerns were centred on geopolitical representation, pointing out that the South-East has not produced either Nigeria’s president or vice president since the country returned to democratic governance in 1999.

He said his intention was to draw attention to the region’s continued exclusion from the nation’s highest political offices rather than oppose Amaechi’s candidacy.

The ADC chieftain added that after party leaders explained the factors that led to Amaechi’s emergence, he accepted the decision, noting that consultations and internal discussions were ongoing to strengthen unity within the party.

Expressing optimism about the party’s future, Okonkwo declared that members were now united and confident of winning the next general election, expressing belief that Atiku Abubakar would emerge as Nigeria’s next president.