Bashir Ahmad questions Peter Obi's alleged move from ADC to NDC
Former presidential aide Bashir Ahmad has criticised Peter Obi over alleged plans to leave the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the National Democratic Coalition (NDC), though no official confirmation exists. Speculations grew after a Supreme Court judgment ended the ADC's leadership crisis. In a Saturday X post, Ahmad wrote that reports suggest Obi and his supporters are reconsidering a move away from the ADC, questioning whether it is to avoid internal party competition, similar to his 2022 shift that led to the 2023 presidential election. Ahmad argued that party primaries test democratic strength and leadership credibility, stating that fear of competing within one's own party raises doubts about the ability to build the broad national consensus needed to lead a diverse country like Nigeria. He emphasized that internal contests are a fundamental pillar of democracy, and difficulty in competing fairly among fellow aspirants undermines claims of national leadership capacity. As of the time of this report, Peter Obi has not publicly reacted to the defection speculation. The ADC leadership crisis resolution and the NDC's positioning as a coalition add context to the possible shift. Will Obi's potential move strengthen opposition unity by joining a broader coalition, or does it signal a reluctance to face internal challenges that could affect his credibility as a national leader?