Obi set to leave crisis-riden Labour Party for ADC; Atiku, former governor’s camps battle for presidential ticket

Obi set to leave crisis-riden Labour Party for ADC

…Atiku, former governor’s camps battle for presidential ticket

…As zoning dispute threatens coalition

By Idun Maximus

Former Anambra State Governor and 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi has finalised plans to exit the crisis-ridden party to join the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of 2027 general elections. The development comes as negotiations for a coalition ahead of the next general elections face challenges over zoning arrangements.

The LP has been enmeshed in a leadership crisis that has divided it into two factions. One faction is led by Julius Abure, while Senator Nenadi Usman controls the other. The situation has been complicated by the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) failure to officially recognise either faction following a Supreme Court judgment, leaving party members in limbo.

Sources close to Obi confirmed that INEC’s indecision on the leadership issue has worsened the party’s internal problems, prompting the former governor to seek an alternative platform. The former governor has begun consulting with key stakeholders in the LP, including Abia State Governor Alex Oti and lawmakers about his planned departure.

On the ADC, its coalition effort is aimed at challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027 and those spearheading it includes former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Obi, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, former Rivers Governor, Chibuike Amaechi, former Senate President, David Mark and former Osun State governor, Rauf Argbesola. However, this coalition is experiencing internal divisions over who should lead the ticket.

However, the coalition is split into two camps. One supports Atiku, while the other is supporting Obi.  Atiku’s supporters believe the former vice president has the financial resources and infrastructure to win the primary, claiming they can effectively mobilise support across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. A smaller group is also backing Amaechi, who has indicated interest to contest.

The most contentious issue dividing the coalition is the question of zoning. While many within the coalition are urging Atiku who would be 80 years old in 2027 to step aside for a younger candidate, others within the northern political establishment continue to support his candidacy. His northern supporters argue that the South has held the presidency for long and that power should rotate back to the North with Obi as his running mate. But his critics within the coalition have raised concerns about a repeat of 2019 when Atiku ran with Obi as his running mate and lost to incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari. They ask whether a similar ticket arrangement could produce different results in 2027.

In early May, Atiku’s camp offered Obi the vice presidential position on the coalition ticket, though Obi did not provide a definitive response. Supporters of this arrangement suggest it would benefit the South East, saying that if Atiku serves a single term, he would hand over to Obi, which would finally bring the presidency to a region that has felt marginalised since democracy returned in 1999.

However, Obi’s camp is pushing for a consensus arrangement that would directly support a South Eastern candidate for president. His supporters cite his strong showing in the 2023 election, where he polled millions of votes despite running on a new platform without an established political structure. During a recent conversation, Obi said he is willing to run for a single-term if selected as the coalition’s candidate. The Obidient Movement that supported Obi’s 2023 campaign, insists that his appeal transcends regional and ethnic lines, making him the strongest candidate to challenge President Bola Tinubu in 2027. Obi on his own part, insisted that the ADC should clarify its position on zoning before he formally commits to joining the party, indicating that this issue remains paramount in his political calculations.

Meanwhile, the ADC has scheduled provisional dates for its internal party congress. The National Secretary, Aregbesola announced that congresses and delegate elections at polling unit, ward, and local government levels are planned for January 20-27, 2026, followed by a Non-Elective National Convention in Abuja in February 2026.