African Democratic Congress has asked the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, to make up his mind about joining the party.
The party said although Obi was an important political leader needed in its coalition, it would not compel the former Anambra State governor to join.
Obi had, during an interview on YouTube with ‘Advocacy for Good Governance’ on Wednesday, stated that the ADC-led coalition was unstable due to some unresolved issues, including the zoning arrangement.
The presidential hopeful said he believed in the coalition despite being a member of the Labour Party, urging the ADC to settle some “fundamentals” necessary for a credible alliance ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Despite his reservations, Obi expressed confidence in the quality of leaders driving the group, including former Senate President David Mark and ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
When asked if he would stand by the coalition even if he did not emerge as its presidential candidate, Obi said he was not driven by personal ambition but by a desire for national progress.
But the Peter Obi Media Office said Obi never granted the interview.
His media aide, Ibrahim Umar, in a statement on Friday, said Obi had confidence in the ADC.
Make up your mind now, ADC tells Anambra ex-gov
However, the spokesperson for the ADC, Bolaji Abdullahi, while speaking with Sunday PUNCH, said the party was not ready to toe Obi’s line of zoning.
He said the priority of the party was to convince Nigerians that it was a credible alternative.
“We’re not talking about zoning or no zoning now. Nigerians are still waiting for us to tell them what we will do differently. So, zoning or no zoning is not on the table now. If that is the condition for Obi to join us, maybe he should wait till that time.
“I understand what Peter has been saying. But I will encourage him to make up his mind if he wants to be part of the coalition or not. Because the most important thing for us is how we can convince Nigerians that we represent the credible alternative, and this is without prejudice to where the candidate will come from,” he said.
The ADC spokesperson said the party wanted Obi and encouraged him to be part of the coalition.
