The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has described the exit of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso from its platform as both a setback and a relief, insisting the party remains focused on its 2027 electoral ambitions.
Speaking on the development, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, acknowledged that while the departure of the two opposition figures was disappointing, it was not a fatal blow to the party’s prospects.
“Is it a setback? The answer is yes. Is it a fatal blow? The answer is no, because the objectives are very clear. They are still the same,” he said.
Obi, who contested the 2023 presidential election under the Labour Party, and Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, had initially aligned with the ADC as part of efforts to build a united opposition front ahead of the 2027 general elections. However, both politicians later moved to the Nigeria Democratic Congress, where they called for an end to litigation-driven politics as part of a new strategy.
Responding to concerns about the political weight of the two figures, Abdullahi dismissed suggestions that their departure had significantly weakened the party, noting that past electoral performance does not automatically translate into future success.
When asked whether losing two opposition leaders who secured millions of votes in the last presidential election posed a major setback, he maintained that the ADC remains focused on building a stronger platform.
The ADC spokesman also admitted that he was personally disappointed by their exit.
“Personally, I’m not happy they left. And I cannot tell you why, because I have my own sentiments. I’m not happy they left,” he said.
Despite this, Abdullahi suggested that their departure may have eased internal pressure within the party, allowing it to concentrate more effectively on its core agenda.
“In a way, it’s a bit of relief. Now we can focus on really doing what we need to do without being under the pressure cooker that they were trying to put us in. I am not disheartened. No, no, not at all,” he added.
The development highlights ongoing shifts within Nigeria’s opposition landscape as parties and political actors continue to reposition ahead of the 2027 general elections.