Public affairs analyst Jide Ojo has suggested that former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, may leave the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of the 2027 general election if he fails to secure the party’s presidential ticket.
Ojo made the assertion on Wednesday during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, where he discussed the dynamics within the opposition coalition and the growing rivalry between Obi and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
According to Ojo, Atiku may have an advantage in the ADC primaries, especially if the party adopts an indirect primary system.
“Rumour mill has it that Atiku has been a very good benevolent spender when it comes to party primaries,” Ojo said.
“Assuming, without conceding that in a free and fair primaries in ADC Atiku emerges, I can see Peter Obi likely going to leave the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for another party.”
He further claimed that Atiku is keen on being at the centre of decision-making within the ADC, particularly in determining who emerges as the party’s presidential candidate.
“Which is why there are fears in certain quarters that he may outspend Peter Obi, particularly if they are going to conduct indirect primaries,” he added.
Despite these concerns, Ojo acknowledged that Obi’s entry into the ADC has injected significant momentum into the opposition coalition. He recalled Obi’s defection from the Labour Party to the ADC on December 31, 2025, describing it as politically impactful.
“I watched the live transmission of his former defection from the Labour Party to ADC, and on that day, at least about four senators from the Southeast, about 16 House of Representatives members from the Southeast, and an indeterminable number of State House of Assembly members said they were defecting with him,” Ojo said.
In contrast, he noted that Atiku’s defection to the ADC in late November did not trigger a similar wave of defections by sitting lawmakers or governors.
Ojo also reiterated that Obi has clearly stated his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election.
“If somebody says, ‘I will be on the ballot,’ it is only the prime candidate, the candidate of the party that will be given the certificate of return, even though it is the party logo that appears on the ballot,” he said.
“What Peter Obi means is that he is not going to play second fiddle.”
The comments add to growing speculation about the shape of Nigeria’s opposition politics as parties and aspirants position themselves ahead of the 2027 polls.
