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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Disasters & Emergencies

Obi, Kwankwaso's exit setback but relief, says ADC

From The Punch · (5m ago) English Mixed tone

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • The African Democratic Congress (ADC) acknowledges the departure of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso as a setback but not a fatal blow to its 2027 ambitions.
  • Party spokesman Bolaji Abdullahi described the exits as a "relief" that allows the ADC to focus on its objectives without external pressure.
  • Obi cited "orchestrated internal crises and relentless litigation" as reasons for his departure, emphasizing a need to rescue Nigeria.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has responded to the departures of prominent political figures Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso, characterizing their exit as a "setback" but emphatically not a "fatal blow" to the party's aspirations for the 2027 general elections. Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC's National Publicity Secretary, articulated this stance, suggesting that while the loss of such figures is acknowledged, the party's core objectives remain steadfast.

Is it a setback? The answer is yes. Is it a fatal blow? The answer is no, because the objectives are very clear. They are still the same.

— Bolaji AbdullahiSpeaking on the departure of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso from the African Democratic Congress.

Abdullahi's comments, made during an interview on Arise News, revealed a nuanced perspective. He admitted to personal unhappiness over the departures but also framed them as a form of "relief." This relief, he explained, stems from the ability of the ADC to now pursue its agenda without the "pressure cooker" environment that he suggested was imposed by the presence of Obi and Kwankwaso. The party aims to refocus on its internal strategies and preparations for the upcoming electoral cycle.

Personally, I’m not happy they left. And I cannot tell you why, because I have my own sentiments. I’m not happy they left.

— Bolaji AbdullahiExpressing his personal feelings about the departure of key political figures.

Peter Obi, who had briefly aligned with the ADC as part of a broader opposition coalition effort, cited "orchestrated internal crises and relentless litigation" as his primary reasons for leaving. He drew parallels to his earlier exit from the Labour Party, framing both decisions as driven by a commitment to "rescue the country" and a belief that democracy should not be undermined by internal strife and legal battles. The ADC, however, maintains a stance of non-adversarial engagement, stating they do not view the departing figures as enemies and will not engage in a "dogfight" with them.

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. I am not disheartened. No, no, not at all.

— Bolaji AbdullahiDescribing the impact of the departures on the party's focus and internal dynamics.
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Originally published by The Punch in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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