Professor of Communications cum political commentator, Abiodun Adeniyi, has opined that the Labour Party (LP) 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, might pull out of the African Democratic Party (ADC) coalition if he fails to get the 2027 presidential ticket.
Naijaonpoint reports that in the wake of Peter Obi’s defection to the ADC, there were speculations that the former Governor of Anambra State had agreed to accept the vice presidential ticket alongside the ex-Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, as the presidential candidate of ADC.
While Peter Obi’s team has debunked the speculations, many supporters have vowed to work against him (Obi) or withdraw their support if he accepts the role of the vice presidential candidate.
However, in an interview with ARISE Television on the ‘Prime Time’ programme on Monday, Adeniyi addressed concerns about Peter Obi’s potential defections, noting that the former Governor could easily leave ADC if denied the party’s presidential ticket.
He said, “Peter Obi has done that before. If he doesn’t get the presidential ticket, I don’t see why he should remain. With the traction, credibility and integrity he has built, I’m not sure he would want to play second fiddle to anyone.
“For someone like him, it has to be the number one slot; otherwise, I see him pulling out.”
Adeniyi expressed optimism that, despite the number of presidential aspirants in the party, ADC leadership, under former Senate President David Mark, could manage the competing interests.
The political analyst stressed that the ADC’s ability to project itself as a serious alternative in 2027 would depend largely on how well it handles ambition, consensus and internal discipline in the months ahead.
He added, “I want to believe that David Mark should be able to rein in the contenders, to make them more sacrificial and look at the bigger picture, if they want to remain credible as an opposition.”