The African Democratic Congress (ADC) says the exit of former presidential candidates Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso has created both a setback and unexpected relief for the party as it repositions ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme on Monday night, the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Bolaji Abdullahi, described the development as strategically challenging but not damaging enough to weaken the party’s long-term electoral plans.
According to him, while both politicians brought significant electoral strength during the last election cycle, their departure does not automatically translate into future losses for the party.
“In a way, it’s a bit of relief. Now we can focus on really doing what we need to do without being under the pressure cooker that they were trying to put us in,” Abdullahi said.
He added that the ADC does not consider Obi and Kwankwaso as adversaries and intends to avoid political confrontation, describing them as part of a wider opposition ecosystem rather than enemies.
Meanwhile, Obi and Kwankwaso have reportedly moved to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), a platform they are said to be aligning with ahead of the next election cycle.
Obi justified his exit by alleging that unnamed political forces were sponsoring internal crises and legal disputes aimed at frustrating his presidential ambition. He compared the situation to his earlier departure from the Labour Party, insisting that his political decisions are driven by national interest rather than personal grievances.
He also warned that continuous internal litigation and engineered instability could undermine Nigeria’s democratic process, arguing that citizens ultimately bear the consequences when political balance is disrupted.