By Musa Baba Adamu
A former chieftain of the Labour Party (LP), Kenneth Okonkwo, has cautioned presidential hopefuls in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) against leaving the party, warning that such a move would ultimately strengthen President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections.
Okonkwo, who spoke during an interview on Channels Television, monitored in Abuja, said any aspirant who defects from the ADC amid its internal challenges would be seen as undermining the coalition’s efforts to build a united front.
He stressed that the current political climate requires cohesion among opposition figures, arguing that individual ambitions should not override collective interests.
According to him, any leading figure who exits the party at this stage would be viewed as indirectly aiding the ruling establishment, insisting that such a decision could weaken the broader opposition movement.
Peoples Daily reports that ADC has attracted several high-profile aspirants, including former Anambra State governor Peter Obi, ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi, all jostling for the party’s presidential ticket.
Meanwhile, Atiku has reiterated his commitment to party unity, pledging to support whoever emerges as the ADC’s candidate through either consensus or the primary election process.
