Politics
Obi set to join ADC as party plans convention
A former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, is set to formally join the African Democratic Congress amid ongoing consultations ahead of the 2027 general elections.
A principal official of the party said in Abuja on Saturday that Obi had concluded plans to join the party and hold a declaration rally in Enugu, the political capital of the South-East, on December 31.
According to the official, Obi’s supporters and loyalists have begun arrangements for the defection.
The source disclosed that Obi, after the ADC asked him to make up his mind on joining the party about three weeks ago, met with the National Chairman of the party, David Mark, to renew his allegiance to the coalition.
He said the party’s position might have convinced the former Anambra State governor to finally decide to join the ADC.
On December 7, the ADC, while reacting to a statement credited to Obi in which he described the party as unstable, told the presidential hopeful to make up his mind on whether or not to join the coalition.
Speaking with Sunday PUNCH, the party source said, “We are aware that Peter Obi is making plans to declare for the ADC on December 31 in Enugu. Although he has yet to formally inform the party, the plans are genuine.”
Asked why Obi would prefer to declare for the coalition in Enugu instead of Anambra, his home state, the party official said, “Enugu is the political capital of the South-East. Obi is representing the region, not just his state. That must have informed his decision.”
But the ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said he could not confirm Obi’s planned defection.
“The point is that there is no official announcement yet. But consultations are ongoing,” he said.
Similarly, the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, Dr Yunusa Tanko, declined to comment directly on the matter, insisting that only Obi could speak on it.
But the Julius Abure-led National Working Committee of the Labour Party has downplayed Obi’s planned defection.
The National Publicity Secretary of the LP, Obiora Ifoh, in an interview with Sunday PUNCH, said the party would refrain from making any definitive pronouncement on the matter until Obi personally speaks on it.
He said, “We cannot fully comment on that until we hear from Obi. As we normally say, anybody can defect from anywhere to anywhere. It is normal in Nigerian politics. Labour Party doesn’t see it as a big deal.”
According to Ifoh, any decision by Obi to leave the party would be driven by personal ambition rather than institutional failure, adding that the Labour Party would continue to thrive regardless.
While reiterating that the party harboured no ill feelings, the LP spokesman said it would have been preferable for Obi to remain within the fold and work through any disagreements internally.
He said, “But the wisest thing for him to do is to stay back and work with the party that gave him the spread he got in 2023. He should try to reconcile with the party leadership and move on from there. But if he prefers to jump from one party to another, we wish him all the best.”
ADC plans convention to pick presidential candidate
Meanwhile, the ADC will hold its national convention mid-2026 as part of broader efforts to reposition the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The party spokesman, Abdullahi, who disclosed this to one of our correspondents on Saturday, said the party was currently focused on nationwide mobilisation, membership expansion and internal consolidation.
He said the immediate priority of the party was to build a “solid organisational framework” across the country, stressing that ongoing membership registration would form the foundation for future congresses and conventions.
He explained that 2026 would be a defining year for the party, particularly as preparations for the selection of a presidential candidate would significantly alter the political landscape and energise party activities nationwide.
He said, “Don’t forget that by June or July, at the latest, we must have a presidential candidate. That will also add to the momentum and redraw the political dynamic.
“Once a presidential candidate emerges and you see people also coming up to contest the governorship election, it will change the momentum,” he stated.
According to him, the current pace of political activity within the party should not be mistaken for a lack of preparedness, as election-year dynamics typically trigger heightened engagement.
On whether a specific date had been fixed for the ADC’s national convention, Abdullahi said discussions were ongoing but clarified that the party planned to hold two conventions in 2026.
“We will have the first convention to ratify the decisions that the NEC has taken this year. We will have another one to decide our next presidential candidate. That will come towards the middle of the year. But I cannot give you a definite date for now,” he said.
…Vows to challenge Ododo in next guber election
The Senator representing Kogi East Senatorial District, Jibrin Isah, has declared that “the battle line has been drawn” between him and Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, following his defeat in the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primary election.
Jibrin, one of seven aspirants in the contest, alleged widespread irregularities during the exercise, accusing government agents of hijacking electoral materials meant for the primary election.
Speaking after the primary, the senator expressed shock that only two votes were recorded in his favour in his own ward, insisting that electoral officials never arrived at the venue for voting.
According to him, he had gone to his ward to cast his vote but discovered that no electoral officer was present, adding that similar incidents were reported across several wards in the senatorial district.
He said the absence of electoral officials and voting materials prevented many APC members from participating in the exercise in affected areas.
The lawmaker alleged that the situation was a calculated move aimed at frustrating his supporters and manipulating the outcome of the primary election.
Jibrin maintained that his performance and projects across Kogi East had strengthened the APC in the district and would guarantee electoral victories for the party, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He also said he had remained loyal to Governor Ododo and the leadership of the APC, questioning why he was allegedly being targeted despite his contributions and commitment to the party.
The senator further alleged that the governor moved against him after receiving information that he intended to contest the governorship seat in the future.
“Well, with the latest development, I will now contest for the governorship position against Governor Ododo when the time comes,” he said.
Jibrin called on the leadership of the APC to investigate the alleged hijacking of electoral materials and ensure fairness and transparency in the party’s internal electoral process.
1. Hon. Hamish Idris – Adamawa State, North Senatorial District
2. Hon. Abdurman Kwacham – Adamawa State, North Senatorial District
3. Chimzobam Kingsley Nnalue – Anambra State, North Senatorial District
4. Donald Daunemigita – Bayelsa State, West Senatorial District
5. Sen. Ben Murray Bruce – Bayelsa State, East Senatorial District
6. Sen. Benson S. Agadaga – Bayelsa State, East Senatorial District
7. Daniel Effiong Asuquo – Cross River State, South Senatorial District
8. Oden Ibiang O Ewa – Cross River State, Central Senatorial District
9. Dr. Marian Nnamaka Ogoh-Ali – Delta State, North Senatorial District
10. Sen. Usman J. Wowo – FCT (no district listed)
11. Abubakar Umar Abdullahi – FCT (no district listed)
12. Adam Mouktar Mohammed – Jigawa State, South/West Senatorial District
13. Sen. Garba Musa Mai Doki – Kebbi State, South Senatorial District
14. Kollo B. Jiya – Kwara State, North Senatorial District
15. Amb. Olutola John Onijala – Kwara State, South Senatorial District
16. Awolola Muritala – Kwara State, South Senatorial District
17. Adeleke Emmanuel Gbenga – Kwara State, South Senatorial District
18. Abdullahi Tanko Zubairu – Nasarawa State, North Senatorial District
19. Usman Muhammed Elegu – Nasarawa State, South Senatorial District
20. Alhaji Dr. Yusuf Moh’d Agabi – Nasarawa State, South Senatorial District
21. Ari Ali Muhammed – Nasarawa State, South Senatorial District
22. Muhammed Rabiu Sadiq – Niger State, Niger/South Senatorial District
23. Hon. Muhammed Bello A. – Niger State, Niger South Senatorial District
24. Bello Bawa Bwari – Niger State, Niger South Senatorial District
25. Ademola Wasiu Alli – Oyo State, Central Senatorial District
26. Ajimobi Wasiu Adegboyega – Oyo State, North Senatorial District
27. Mr. Kolapoboye Kola Daisi – Oyo State, South Senatorial District
28. Faozey Oladotun Nurudeen – Oyo State, Oyo Central Senatorial District
29. Hon. Hameed Afeez Repete – Oyo State, Central Senatorial District
30. Amb. Pst. Akinremi Alade Bolaji – Oyo State, South Senatorial District
31. Bello Abudullahi Bodejo – Taraba State, Central Senatorial District
32. Gyang Yaya Zi San – Plateau State, North Senatorial District
33. Napoleon Binkap Bah – Plateau State, South Senatorial District
34. Usman Ephraim Gar – Plateau State, Central Senatorial District
35. Oyukaye Flag Amachree – Rivers State, West Senatorial District
36. Chief Dr. Tamunobaabo Wemike Danagogo – Rivers State, West Senatorial District
37. Jack-Rich Tein T.S – Rivers State, West Senatorial District
38. Banigo Ipalibo – Rivers State, West Senatorial District
39. Chief Barry Balera Mwara – Rivers State, South/East Senatorial District
40. Hon. Hassan H. Kafayos – Yobe State, Yobe North Senatorial District
41. Sanusi Ibrahim Garachi – Zamfara State, Central Senatorial District
42. Aliyu Abubakar – Zamfara State, Central Senatorial District
43. Muhammad Bashir Maru – Zamfara State, Central Senatorial District
44. Hassan Muhammad Gusau – Zamfara State, Central Senatorial District
45. Abubakar H. Moriiki – Zamfara State, North Senatorial District
46. Bilyaminu Yusuf – Zamfara State, North Senatorial District
47. Isyaka Ajiya Anka – Zamfara State, West Senatorial District.
..As Mbah participates in Owo Ward, advertises APC’s achievements
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has commended the Enugu State chapter of the party for what it described as free, fair, credible, and exemplary House of Representatives primary elections in the state.
This was even as Governor Peter Mbah joined other party faithful in Owo Ward, Nkanu East LGA, to affirm the Member representing Nkanu East/Nkanu West Federal Constituency, Hon. Nnolim Nnaji, who was the only aspirant standing for the primary election, as the party’s House of Representatives candidate in the 2027 general elections.
Addressing newsmen at the party’s secretariat in Enugu after observing the exercise in Owo Ward and other parts of the state, Chairman of the APC House of Representatives Primary Elections in Enugu State, Hon. Solomon Funkekeme, expressed satisfaction with the process and outcome of the primary elections in the wards monitored firsthand by members of his team, as well as the reports reaching them from various parts of the state.
“One thing is clear: Enugu State APC has continued to stand out as a shining example in internal democracy, party cohesion, consensus-building, and commitment to the party’s success over and above individual interests.
“You were with us at Owo and we have our men in other parts of the state. This is consensus in action. I believe it is the same with other places we have not monitored, based on the reports reaching us.
“But above all, it is leadership in action. I commend the leader of the party in the state, Governor Peter Mbah, as well as the chairman and members of the State Executive, for the peace and synergy we have witnessed,” Hon. Funkekeme said.
Meanwhile, addressing party faithful in his Owo Ward, Governor Mbah thanked them profoundly for the large turnout and for their peaceful conduct across the state.
“What you have seen here today is what you are going to witness across different federal constituencies in Enugu State. There might be just one or two federal constituencies where we may have a contest.
“So, I think that you people should be proud of yourselves because you are becoming a model of what grassroots democracy should be, what internal party democracy should be; and an example of a rancour-free primary exercise where people are coming out in their numbers to support a candidate of their choice, where there is a contest. This is what democracy means. And this is what APC represents for this country,” he stated.
Mbah urged party faithful in the state to come all out to market the achievements and programmes of the APC government at the state and federal levels ahead of the general elections.
“If you also look at what this party has done at the national level, you will see that the pressure and tensions we had at our macroeconomic level have gone. What it means is that the states and the local governments are now able to serve you better, courtesy of the policies and programmes of our great party.
“So, you should be proud of this party and you should make sure that you carry the news, carry the message of what this party is doing for our country to the nooks and crannies of Nigeria.
“We have not finished yet. Look at the country. You may only have started seeing the signs. But I can tell you, the foundations have been built. The fundamentals are in place. What Nigerians need to do is to support APC to come back and get the job finished. It is extremely important. We cannot afford to go backwards. We must move forward.
“That is why you cannot afford to stand on the margins. You cannot afford to be passive. You have to be proactive. You have to go from door to door, informing people about what is going on and the benefits supporting APC would bring to our people,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, the state’s party chairman, Dr. Martin Chukwunweike, among other party leaders, joined the team from Abuja in monitoring the exercise at Owo and across the state.
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