The leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has defended the directive for all coalition members to resign from their respective political parties and join the ADC.
Recall that the coalition leadership on Thursday directed all members to resign from their political parties and fully embrace the ADC, though no specific timeline was set.
The ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, who conveyed the decision in a statement in Abuja, stated that it was made at a caucus meeting attended by senior party leaders and prominent political figures.
However, the directive was greeted with criticism from the Obidient Movement, who warned that their principal, Peter Obi, could not be bullied into leaving the Labour Party for the ADC.
However, speaking to Punch, Abdullahi stated that the Obidients either misunderstood the party or based their comment on preconceived biases.
He clarified that the party has never forced members of the coalition to join its fold.
He said, “It is either that they did not read the story, or they have a pre-conceived position, because there was no where we compelled anybody to join the party.
“We just said that every member of the coalition must leave their original party, and we have consistently maintained that Peter Obi and Nasir El-Rufai were given prerogatives, so I wonder where their outburst is coming from.
“Ordinarily, we have decided not to respond to it because it does not make sense to us, but there is no way the decision of the coalition suggests what they are saying.”
The party spokesperson also noted that the comments by some Obidients should not be taken as Obi’s personal stance.
“We do not even think that their position represents Peter Obi’s attitude or opinion towards the coalition,” he said.
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