Peter Obi’s ‘Planned Exit’ From ADC Will Prove Loyalty To Tinubu – Okonkwo

Veteran Nollywood actor, lawyer and politician, Kenneth Okonkwo, has warned that any presidential aspirant who leaves the African Democratic Congress (ADC) would be seen as working for President Bola Tinubu.

Okonkwo made the assertion during an interview on Channels Television while reacting to speculations that Peter Obi may exit the party if he fails to secure its presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 elections.

Responding to the speculation, Okonkwo said any aspirant who abandons the party at this stage would be viewed as compromised.

“If he [Obi] leaves, will he now be a mobile squadron? Anybody, any presidential aspirant in ADC, seeing what everybody is going through in ADC, that leaves ADC for another party is a mobile squatter. That’s one,” he said.

He further alleged that such a move would amount to tacit support for the ruling government.

“Then two, he is working for Tinubu. Because if all the coalition leaders are facing through all this crisis, even with unity, then what do you think one person can do going out?” Okonkwo added.

The former Labour Party chieftain stressed the need for unity among opposition figures within the ADC coalition, warning that any defection could weaken the bloc.

“Anybody that goes out of the coalition is compromised and is working for Tinubu, whoever that person is,” he said.

Peter Obi, who was the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, is one of the leading contenders for the ADC ticket.

Other prominent aspirants include former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and former Rivers State governor Chibuike Amaechi.

The contest is expected to be a defining moment for the opposition coalition as it prepares for the 2027 general elections.

Meanwhile, Atiku has pledged to support whoever emerges as the party’s presidential candidate.

Speaking in an interview on Arise News on Wednesday, the former vice-president said he would back the eventual flagbearer, whether selected through consensus or elected via party primaries.

Okonkwo’s remarks highlight growing tensions within the opposition coalition as key political figures jostle for the ADC ticket ahead of what is shaping up to be a highly contested 2027 presidential race.