The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has offered clarity on the current status of former Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, and ex-Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, amid speculation surrounding their anticipated defection to the party.
The development follows the recent defection of Mr. CID Maduabum, former Director-General of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, who officially left the PDP to join the ADC.
In a separate political move, Delta State APC stalwart, Chief Ayiri Emami, dismissed ongoing rumours that Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, a former Deputy Senate President, was planning to leave the APC for the ADC ahead of the 2027 elections.
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Meanwhile, members of the Obedient Movement have issued a stern warning to the ADC, cautioning against commodifying its 2027 presidential ticket.At a weekend press briefing held in Abuja, ADC’s Interim National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, addressed these unfolding developments.
He explained that Obi and El-Rufai were still concluding key political engagements within their previous parties.
He said: “They were given the opportunity to finalise pending elections, including by-elections and the selection of governorship candidates, within their legacy parties.”
Abdullahi assured that both figures remain loyal to the ADC-led coalition and would make their membership official upon completing these responsibilities.
He also addressed growing concerns over transparency within the party’s nomination process, stating: “We have no hidden agenda or preferred candidate. Everyone will have a fair chance in the race for the party’s ticket.”
On legal issues surrounding the party, Abdullahi dispelled suggestions that the ADC was entangled in any significant litigation.
“We are confident in the legality of every step we have taken. We made sure we closed all loopholes the ruling party might try to use against us,” he added.
He further condemned the travel ban allegedly imposed by Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, on Mr. Obi, describing the move as a dangerous signal of rising authoritarianism among APC-led state governments.
Referring to a statement attributed to the governor that declared Obi unwelcome in the state, Abdullahi said this stance was emblematic of an anti-democratic trend.
“Nigeria is a free country, and every citizen has the right to travel freely across the nation. We don’t need visas to move within our own country.
“Since they failed to turn Nigeria into a one-party state, their new strategy is to issue threats, warning us not to visit their states. This is unacceptable and goes against the principles of democracy,” Abdullahi said.
 has offered clarity on the current status of former Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, and ex-Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, amid speculation surrounding their anticipated defection to the party.){kind=link}