Melaye: Obi Can’t Handle Nigeria If He Can’t Face Party Crises

A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dino Melaye, has criticised Peter Obi over what he described as frequent party switching, arguing that it raises questions about his ability to handle Nigeria’s challenges if elected president.

Melaye made the remarks in a post on X on Wednesday, days after Obi reportedly exited the ADC for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). He said Obi’s repeated movement between political platforms suggests a tendency to avoid internal party crises rather than confront and resolve them.

According to him, a leader who cannot endure political pressure within party structures may struggle to manage the complexities of governing a country like Nigeria, which he described as far more demanding than internal party disputes.

Melaye also alleged that the NDC is being used as a political tool by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to weaken and divide opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.

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He further claimed that Obi has not consistently participated in competitive party primaries, arguing that his political career has largely benefited from consensus arrangements or party selections rather than internal contests.

In his social media post, Melaye stated that Obi “excused himself from tough situation,” adding that his inability to remain within turbulent party environments raises concerns about how he would handle national governance challenges.

He also used a metaphor comparing governance to a “hot kitchen,” suggesting that Obi prefers less demanding political environments and may struggle under intense pressure.

The comments come amid ongoing political realignments within Nigeria’s opposition landscape, where debates over coalitions, defections, and emerging parties have intensified ahead of the 2027 elections.

Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi has not publicly responded to Melaye’s remarks as discussions within opposition circles continue to grow.

Melaye: Obi Can’t Handle Nigeria If He Can’t Face Party Crises

Shekarau’s Possible Return Sparks Tension in Kano APC Senatorial Race

Panic is reportedly mounting within the camp of All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial aspirant for Kano Central, Abdulsalam Abdulkarim Zaura, amid growing indications that former Kano State Governor Ibrahim Shekarau may enter the race for the 2027 Senate election.

Political sources say Zaura, who hails from Ungogo Local Government Area of Kano State, had been confident of securing the APC senatorial ticket until recent developments suggested renewed political mobilisation around Shekarau’s possible return to active electoral politics.

Party insiders claim Shekarau’s re-entry into the APC has altered early political calculations in Kano Central, especially as stakeholders debate how best to counter the influence of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso in the district.

Some political observers argue that only a figure of Shekarau’s stature could effectively challenge Kwankwaso’s dominance in Kano Central, warning that fielding Zaura alone could present a difficult electoral challenge for the APC.

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Meanwhile, youth groups sympathetic to Zaura have publicly appealed to Shekarau not to join the senatorial race, insisting that such a move could undermine Zaura’s longstanding loyalty and commitment to the party.

The youths, led by Inyass Mohammed Auwal, also criticised any suggestion of automatically handing the APC ticket to Shekarau, describing it as unfair to dedicated party members who have worked for the party over time.

Speaking at a press briefing in Kano, they argued that loyalty and sacrifice should be rewarded within the party structure, warning that sidelining long-serving members could create internal dissatisfaction ahead of the elections.

They further maintained that consistency should be a key factor in candidate selection, stressing that replacing a committed aspirant with a returning heavyweight could send the wrong signal to party loyalists.

Although Shekarau has not officially declared his intention to contest, his spokesperson, Sule Yau Sule, confirmed that the former governor is being encouraged by supporters to consider joining the race.

Political analysts say the development has intensified behind-the-scenes manoeuvring within the APC in Kano State, as aspirants and stakeholders reposition themselves ahead of party primaries for the 2027 elections.

The situation highlights growing internal competition within Kano Central politics, where negotiations, endorsements, and alliance-building are already shaping the early phase of the senatorial race.

As consultations continue, the APC is expected to face increasing pressure in balancing loyalty, political influence, and electoral strength in determining its eventual candidate for the highly competitive senatorial district.

Shekarau’s Possible Return Sparks Tension in Kano APC Senatorial Race

Babachir Lawal: Peter Obi Was Never Fully Committed to ADC

Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, has said that Peter Obi was never fully committed to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), insisting that the former presidential candidate’s participation in the coalition was limited and lacked full integration.

Lawal made the remarks on Tuesday during a Prime Time interview on Arise Television, where he addressed internal developments within the ADC coalition and wider political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He explained that Obi only joined the coalition after its structure had already been formed and did not fully participate in its organisational framework or long-term planning. According to him, this limited engagement contributed to concerns about the depth of Obi’s involvement.

Lawal added that party leaders made efforts to accommodate Obi within the coalition structure, including allowing him to nominate the organising secretary, a key position responsible for coordinating electoral activities and internal administration. He said the gesture was intended to promote inclusiveness and trust within the party system.

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Despite these efforts, Lawal stated that doubts remained over Obi’s commitment to the coalition’s processes, particularly regarding his willingness to fully participate in internal competition and party decision-making structures.

He further suggested that Obi’s eventual exit from the coalition may have been influenced by disagreements over internal party arrangements, including expectations around contesting in competitive primaries. Lawal maintained that the ADC remains committed to internal democracy and equal opportunity for all aspirants.

He also dismissed interpretations linking his past support for Obi during the 2023 presidential election to continued political alignment, stressing that such support was based on circumstances at the time rather than long-term political loyalty. According to him, his political decisions are guided by personal conviction rather than allegiance to individuals.

The comments come amid ongoing debates within Nigeria’s opposition space, where coalition-building efforts continue to face challenges over leadership structure, candidate selection, and strategic direction ahead of the 2027 elections. All Progressives Congress (APC) remains the dominant political force as opposition parties seek unity.

Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi remains a key figure in opposition politics, with his alliances and political direction closely watched across the country.

No official response has been issued by Obi regarding Lawal’s latest remarks.

Babachir Lawal: Peter Obi Was Never Fully Committed to ADC