North May Not Back Obi–Kwankwaso Ticket, Says Datti Baba-Ahmed

Former Labour Party vice-presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, has criticised the exit of Peter Obi from the Labour Party Nigeria, describing it as a sign of weak leadership amid ongoing opposition realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Baba-Ahmed, who recently moved to the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), also questioned the political strength of a potential alliance between Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, warning that it may struggle to secure support from northern voters.

Speaking to journalists, Baba-Ahmed said regional voting patterns remain a key factor in Nigerian elections, arguing that the proposed political partnership between Obi and Kwankwaso may face resistance in the North. “It is very unlikely that the north will rally around Obi and Kwankwaso,” he said, noting that north-south political dynamics in Nigeria continue to shape electoral outcomes.

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Baba-Ahmed revealed that he had earlier advised Obi to build broader political alliances, including engaging Kwankwaso and former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai as part of early preparations for the 2027 elections. According to him, the emerging alignment between Obi and Kwankwaso reflects suggestions he made in 2024, although he expressed doubts about its effectiveness. “So they are going together now with Kwankwaso; it’s my idea… Will it work? I think it’s a big question. We’ll wait and see,” he said. He also questioned why Kwankwaso did not support Obi in the 2023 elections, suggesting that unresolved political disagreements could weaken any renewed cooperation.

Baba-Ahmed also faulted Obi’s decision to leave the Labour Party during its internal crisis, arguing that the former Anambra State governor should have stayed to resolve the party’s challenges. “Someone who got a Labour Party ticket so easily should have stayed to fix the problems of the Labour Party,” he said. He added that leadership in a politically complex country like Nigeria requires resilience and the willingness to confront internal disputes rather than abandon them. “A leader must be firm… You are going into politics, which is a contact sport. If you are not ready to fight, stay in your house,” he said.

The comments come amid ongoing Nigeria opposition realignment efforts, with political figures repositioning and exploring new coalitions ahead of the 2027 general elections. Analysts say the emerging alliances between key opposition figures highlight both the fluid nature of Nigerian politics and the challenges of building a united front capable of challenging dominant political structures.

North May Not Back Obi–Kwankwaso Ticket, Says Datti Baba-Ahmed

Akpabio Mocks ADC Collapse as Lawmakers Defect in Droves

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has sparked fresh political debate after declaring the African Democratic Congress (ADC) “dead,” following a wave of high-profile defections in Nigeria’s National Assembly.

Speaking during plenary, Akpabio reacted to the growing list of lawmakers abandoning the ADC for other parties, including the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the Labour Party Nigeria. Among the defectors is Victor Umeh, who formally resigned from the ADC, citing internal party crisis and “unending litigation.”

“Maybe all those defecting from ADC should just compile everything in one paper and bring it… because I think ADC is dead,” Akpabio said, drawing laughter and reactions from lawmakers.

He also mocked the frequency of party switching, questioning the trend of repeated defections within short periods. “How many times can you defect in a month? Once. But some have done three times,” he joked, suggesting a more coordinated system where lawmakers submit bulk defection notices instead of individual announcements.

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Akpabio further highlighted the case of Enyinnaya Abaribe, noting his movement from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to ADC, and now to the Labour Party. The remark underscored a growing pattern of political realignment in Nigeria, as politicians shift alliances ahead of future elections.

The crisis within the ADC extends beyond the Senate. In the House of Representatives, no fewer than 16 lawmakers have also defected to the NDC and Labour Party. Those affected include Yusuf Datti, Uchenna Okonkwo, Thaddeus Attah, George Ozodinobi, and Lilian Orogbu, reflecting deepening instability within the party.

In his resignation letter, Umeh stressed that ongoing divisions and court battles made his continued stay in the ADC untenable. “I remain committed to making my contributions towards the development of our dear nation, but this time through the NDC,” he wrote.

Political observers say the wave of defections highlights leadership struggles in ADC, lack of internal cohesion, and uncertainty over the party’s future. The development is seen as part of a broader Nigeria political realignment ahead of 2027 elections, with lawmakers repositioning for stronger platforms.

Although the ADC leadership has yet to issue an official response, analysts warn that continued defections could significantly weaken the party’s national relevance and reshape the balance of power in the National Assembly.

Akpabio Mocks ADC Collapse as Lawmakers Defect in Droves

Bolaji Abdullahi: Peter Obi Ignorant of ADC Manifesto, Focused on Ticket

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has described the exit of prominent politicians Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso as both a setback and a “huge relief,” amid ongoing realignments within Nigeria’s opposition politics ahead of the 2027 general elections.

ADC spokesperson Bolaji Abdullahi made the comments during an interview on ARISE News, where he said the party was not entirely unhappy about their departure. According to him, while the exit of such high-profile figures may reduce political weight in the short term, it also removes internal pressure within the party structure.

He explained that the ADC now has more room to focus on internal rebuilding and policy direction without what he described as intense competition over control of the party’s presidential ticket.

Abdullahi said the party does not see the development as a fatal blow, even though it represents a setback. He maintained that the ADC remains active and committed to strengthening its internal structures ahead of the next election cycle.

The ADC spokesman also criticised Peter Obi, alleging that the former presidential candidate did not engage deeply with the party’s ideological framework while he was associated with it. He claimed that Obi had limited understanding of the party’s policy positions on key national issues such as fuel subsidy and national security.

According to Abdullahi, the party had established a manifesto committee to define its governance direction and policy priorities, but argued that Obi showed little interest in its ideological foundation. He further alleged that Obi and some political actors were primarily focused on securing automatic access to the party’s presidential ticket rather than participating in ideological development.

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He also stated that the ADC is planning to adopt a consensus-based method for selecting its presidential candidate, arguing that internal primaries may not be practical under current political conditions. Abdullahi added that such a system would help the party avoid internal division and promote unity.

He went further to suggest that Obi would be more comfortable in a party structure where the presidential ticket is guaranteed by a single authority, rather than in a system driven by internal competition and consensus-building.

On Sunday, Peter Obi formally announced his exit from the ADC, a party he reportedly joined in December. In his resignation letter, he clarified that his decision was not due to personal disagreements with party leaders, including Senator David Mark and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

Obi stated that he maintained respect for the party leadership but raised concerns about growing instability within opposition platforms. He alleged that internal crises, external interference, and political infiltration were affecting opposition unity and weakening focus on national issues.

He further warned that recurring divisions and legal battles within political parties could undermine efforts to build a strong and credible opposition ahead of the 2027 elections.

Political analysts say the development highlights ongoing tensions within Nigeria’s opposition landscape, where leadership struggles, coalition negotiations, and ideological differences continue to shape political alliances ahead of the next general election cycle.

Despite the disagreements, both sides maintain that they remain committed to broader democratic participation, even as Nigeria’s political realignment continues to gather momentum.

Bolaji Abdullahi: Peter Obi Ignorant of ADC Manifesto, Focused on Ticket