ADC dismisses impact of Peter Obi’s exit, takes swipe at NDC leadership structure

By Lateef Ibrahim

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has downplayed concerns over the departure of former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, insisting that his exit has not weakened the party ahead of the 2027 general election.
Speaking during an interview on Trust TV, monitored in Abuja, Phrank Shaibu, Special Assistant on Public Communication to ADC presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, argued that Obi’s decision to leave the party for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) was neither unexpected nor damaging to the ADC’s political prospects.
Shaibu maintained that Obi appeared comfortable in his new political platform, describing his current situation as one in which he was “having fun” within the NDC.
His remarks come amid growing competition among opposition parties seeking to position themselves ahead of the 2027 elections. Obi and former presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, had left the ADC earlier this year, citing internal disagreements and legal disputes within the party.
While dismissing suggestions that Obi’s exit represented a setback, Shaibu used the opportunity to criticise the internal structure of the NDC, alleging that the party revolves around a single dominant figure.
According to him, the NDC operates in a manner unlike most political parties in Nigeria, claiming that public attention is focused almost entirely on what he described as the party’s “Supreme Leader,” while other key officials remain largely invisible to the public.
The comments underscore the growing war of words among opposition figures as political realignments continue to reshape the landscape ahead of the next general election.
With major politicians switching allegiances and new alliances emerging, analysts expect rivalry among opposition parties to intensify as they compete for influence and voter support in the run-up to 2027.