Obi Desperate To Secure Ticket Unchallenged Not Interested In ADC Manifesto — Bolaji Abdullahi 

Obi Desperate To Secure Ticket Unchallenged Not Interested In ADC Manifesto — Bolaji Abdullahi

By Olumuyiwa Olumuyiwa

National Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Bolaji Abdullahi, has said that former presidential aspirant, Peter Obi, is looking for a political party where he will be handed the presidential ticket on a silver ticket.

Abdullahi claimed that Obi showed little interest in the party’s manifesto or other ideologies driving the coalition during while his alignment with the coalition lasted.

The ADC publicity secretary spoke during Prime Time interview on Arise Television on Monday

He stressed that Obi was not interested in the party’s positions on key national issues which the ADC  had invested considerable time in developing.

“We set up a manifesto committee that worked for about two to three months to develop a document that clearly outlined what we will do differently,” Abdullahi said.

“You may invite His Excellency Peter Obi here and ask him, what is the ADC position on fuel subsidy? What is the ADC’s framework on security? He doesn’t know, because he’s never been interested.”

Abdullahi further alleged that some politicians were more focused on securing party tickets than engaging with ideological frameworks.

“They are just waiting for the tickets to be handed to them. If you say you want to contest election, and you believe in changing the country, you should know what your party stands for,” he added.

Abdullahi described the ADC as a party with clear ideology and structure capable of offering Nigerians credible alternatives, but according to him, some political actors were more interested in using the party as a mere “special purpose vehicle” for their personal ambition.

“Everything that the government has thrown at the ADC, we have resisted. We have fought back and remained committed to our goal of rescuing Nigerians from the failure of this government,” Abdullahi said.

“We have been fighting for democracy within a party that has given us the best chance to serve the Nigerian people. Even Peter Obi once said at a coalition meeting that if we present two candidates against Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we would be handing him victory in 2027. So, what has changed?” he added.

He described  the issue of litigation cited by Obi and former Kano governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, for leaving the party  as “three flimsy court cases” which could not justify the decision to exit the ADC.

He further stated that Obi received significant concessions within the party, including the opportunity to nominate the National Organising Secretary, a position widely regarded as the operational backbone of the party.

“None of the aspirants or leaders was given as much consideration as Peter Obi. The office of the National Organising Secretary is the engine room of the party. It handles congresses, elections, and core operations. That office is occupied by his nominee,” he said.

Addressing claims by some of Obi’s supporters that the party was skewed in favour of a particular candidate, Abdullahi said such assertions were unfounded.

“We met with Peter Obi consistently. He attended coalition meetings regularly. He made it clear he would only join if the ticket was zoned. He took nearly a year to join the ADC and never raised concerns about bias within the party, because there was none,” he added.

Using a metaphor to illustrate his point, Abdullahi said: “When a woman wants to leave a marriage, she gives all kinds of reasons, including being suffocated by too much love. That is what we are seeing now.”

Peoplestemplate had reported how Obi alongside Rabiu Kwankwaso, dumped the ADC for the Nigeria Democratic Progress.

The duo cited the leadership crisis in the ADC as reason for their defection.