Why Peter Obi, El-Rufai Are Yet to Join ADC - Bolaji Abdullahi Reveals

...Obidients issue stern warning over 2027 ticket

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has broken its silence on why prominent political figures such as 2023 Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, and former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, are yet to officially join its fold, despite widespread speculations and ongoing political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking at a media briefing in Abuja over the weekend, the ADC's Interim National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, clarified that the duo were currently rounding off critical electoral engagements in their former political parties before fully embracing the ADC platform.

According to Abdullahi, "They were given the opportunity to finalise pending elections, including by-elections and the selection of governorship candidates, within their legacy parties. That process is ongoing, and we are in constant communication.ÔÇØ

He assured Nigerians that both Obi and El-Rufai remain committed to the ADC-led coalition and will formalise their membership after concluding their current political obligations.

This clarification comes amid growing pressure from supporters and members of the Obidient Movement, who warned the ADC leadership over the weekend not to sell its 2027 presidential ticket to the highest bidder. The warning was issued during a birthday celebration for Peter Obi in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, where party loyalists reiterated that only a credible candidate like Obi should fly the party's flag.

The week-long event in honour of Obi's 64th birthday featured charity activities including hospital and leprosy home visits, donations to motherless babies' homes, and distribution of free petrol to 100 commercial motorcyclists. Speaking at the event, Dr. Ezeh Emmanuel Ezeh of the Obidient Movement described Obi as "an institution of hopeÔÇØ and the only candidate with the capacity, character, and compassion to rescue Nigeria.

Echoing this sentiment, LP's 2023 governorship candidate in Ebonyi State, Mr. Splendour Oko Eze, issued a strong caution to ADC's coalition leadership: "Nobody is more qualified than Peter Obi. Don't turn the presidential race into a contest for the highest bidder. The coalition should be a platform for liberating the poor, not for selling tickets.ÔÇØ