ADC defections spark ruling party anxiety ahead of 2027 polls
National Coordinator of The Obidient Movement, Yusuf Tanko, says the defection of Peter Obi and other prominent politicians to the Action Democratic Congress (ADC) has created anxiety within the ruling government ahead of the 2027 elections. Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Friday, Tanko noted that the mobilisation by Obi and former NNPP presidential candidate Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso into the ADC is "scaring the government in power."
Tanko expressed confusion over this anxiety, pointing out the ruling party already commands the support of 31 or 32 state governors. "Why should he be afraid of running for a free and fair election?" he questioned. He argued that the groundwork for such an election is lacking, claiming INEC’s processes are designed to hinder smaller parties. "The checkmating, the funding that is needed, or the candidate who may not have the money to bribe and pay for votes... all of these processes were made in such a way that it is difficult for normal political parties to win elections," he stated.
The defections include Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, along with several South-East political heavyweights like former Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha, Senators Ben Obi, Victor Umeh, Tony Nwoye, and Gilbert Nnaji, among others. They officially moved to the ADC at a ceremony in Enugu last year. Kwankwaso formally joined the ADC last month, bringing his Kwankwasiyya movement supporters with him.
Tanko advised the ruling party to focus on delivering its promises to the people instead of suppressing opposition. "The more you try to hold them down, the angrier they get... the more you get the people angry, the more you lose them," he warned.
With key opposition figures consolidating under the ADC banner, does this signal a credible challenge to the ruling party’s structural advantages in 2027, or will systemic barriers like funding requirements and INEC’s processes continue to determine electoral outcomes regardless of popular sentiment?