As preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum, Ovation publisher Dele Momodu has advised the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to steer clear of the kind of internal crises that weakened the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
In a post on X on Tuesday, Momodu recalled a 2025 meeting in Abuja where opposition parties rallied around the ADC in a bid to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). He said he was encouraged by the initial unity and leadership structure of the coalition, particularly the emergence of former Senate President, General David Mark (rtd), as chairman.
“I was delighted to hear those inspiring words,” Momodu wrote. “Seeing an Army veteran like General David Mark as chairman gave confidence that indiscipline would not be tolerated. But lately, some groups have injected aggression and disorder into what should be a young and cooperative alliance. How can a coalition succeed if certain factions insist on producing the presidential ticket through imposition rather than election and persuasion?”
He warned that the ADC must enforce discipline early to prevent internal disagreements from spiralling out of control, pointing to how former Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, entrenched his influence within the PDP. “ADC should be a party of harmony, not a Fuji house of confusion,” he cautioned.
Momodu’s comments come amid fresh clarifications from the Obidient Movement Worldwide, which has firmly ruled out former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, serving as a vice-presidential candidate to anyone. The movement insists its support is solely for Obi’s bid for the presidency in 2027, following his recent defection from the Labour Party to the ADC.
Obi had earlier left the PDP for the Labour Party ahead of the 2023 elections, where he emerged as the party’s presidential flagbearer.
Speaking on Eagle 102.5 FM’s Frontline programme, the Obidient Movement’s National Coordinator, Dr Tanko Yunusa, dismissed claims that Obi’s move to the ADC suggests subservience to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar or other political heavyweights.
“Everyone in that coalition contributed their hard-earned resources. Nobody owns the party,” Yunusa said, stressing that ADC is a collective project.
He described Obi as a leader capable of offering what the movement terms a “moral solution” to Nigeria’s governance challenges, citing priorities such as economic discipline, national security and sustainable fuel subsidy reforms. Yunusa also highlighted Obi’s diplomatic outlook, noting that he would engage Nigerians first while maintaining respectful ties with the international community.
Addressing criticisms of Obi’s frequent party switches, Yunusa blamed internal challenges within the Labour Party, alleging deliberate efforts to undermine its operations. “If your house is being deliberately set on fire, would you stay inside it?” he asked, describing Obi’s defection as a necessary decision.
Yunusa said Obi’s move to the ADC followed consultations with a broad coalition of reform-minded groups, particularly young Nigerians whom he described as key drivers of the political process.
On speculation about a vice-presidential role, he reiterated that Obi’s interest lies in good governance, adding that the former governor has pledged to serve only one term if elected in 2027, after which power would return to the North to promote national unity.
The Obidient Movement also affirmed its commitment to a transparent ADC presidential primary, warning that it would act collectively with Obi if the process is compromised.
As the 2027 elections draw closer, Obi’s stance within the ADC and Momodu’s warning highlight the delicate balance between coalition-building, internal discipline and personal ambitions within Nigeria’s opposition politics.