Tensions over zoning spark an Obi ADC rift as coalition leaders push back on his demands ahead of the 2027 presidential race
Former Governor of Anambra State Peter Obi is facing a growing rift within the African Democratic Congress as questions over zoning and internal agreements heighten tensions ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
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The concerns were made public after ADC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi rejected suggestions by Obi that the coalition faced instability over unresolved internal arrangements.
Obi, who remains a member of the Labour Party while politically aligning with the coalition-backed ADC, had earlier described the party as struggling with what he called unsigned agreements on power rotation and office allocation.
He insisted that such matters must be clarified before the coalition can function effectively.
Abdullahi, reacting sharply, urged the former governor to “calm down”, explaining that zoning was not under consideration at this stage.
He said any such preconditions were premature and advised Obi to decide whether he fully intends to work within the coalition.
The ADC spokesperson also faulted Obi’s choice of language, saying his reference to instability was unfounded and could undermine public perception of the coalition’s cohesion.
His response echoed long-standing criticisms from Atiku Abubakar’s supporters, who have repeatedly accused Obi of seeking automatic presidential nominations without commensurate party-building efforts.
Obi’s political alliance with the ADC began with enthusiasm when the coalition launched earlier in the year, drawing heavyweight leaders including former Vice President Abubakar Atiku, former Senate President David Mark, and former governors Rauf Aregbesola, Rotimi Amaechi and Nasir El-Rufai.
The coalition was widely viewed as a powerful new force in Nigeria’s opposition landscape.
With strong public support from the Obidient movement and the momentum from his 2023 performance, Obi quickly became one of the loudest voices promoting the coalition as the country’s most credible alternative.
He publicly declared his intention to seek the presidency through the ADC while dismissing speculation about running as Atiku’s deputy.
However, the coalition now appears unsettled by what some leaders see as attempts to predetermine the presidential ticket.
The Obidient Movement’s “Obi-or-Nothing” campaign, which insists the party must field Obi as an unopposed candidate, has further strained internal dynamics.
Abdullahi emphasised that several leaders have already strengthened the party’s grassroots structures in their respective states, urging Obi to show similar commitment in the South-East.
Recent election outcomes suggest weak party presence in the region, where ADC candidates performed poorly in Anambra.
Meanwhile, Atiku has officially joined the ADC and intensified high-level meetings across the North, signalling broad interest in the coalition’s presidential ticket.
His moves add weight to the view that the ADC contest will be competitive rather than pre-aligned.
The evolving situation raises critical questions about Obi’s political trajectory. Whether he will secure the ADC ticket, align with Atiku, or return to the Labour Party remains uncertain.
Also read: ADC Denies Endorsing Candidate for 2026 Osun Governorship Election
What is clear is that the once-harmonious partnership between Obi and the coalition is now under pressure, with the spectre of zoning and ambition threatening to reshape the opposition landscape.
