The Presidency has alleged that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar “hijacked” the African Democratic Congress (ADC) from its founder, Ralph Nwosu, amid ongoing tensions within the opposition party ahead of the 2027 elections.
In a statement issued on Monday, presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga said the internal crisis rocking the ADC was self-inflicted and had no connection to President Bola Tinubu.
“Knowing he needs a party structure to pursue his presidential ambitions, Obi moved to the hijacked ADC, an SPV bought by Atiku Abubakar from Ralph Nwosu. No due diligence appears to have been conducted by the new owners, resulting in the current turmoil,” Onanuga said.
The presidency also warned former Anambra State governor Peter Obi against what it described as attempts to drag the president into the ADC crisis.
“What connection does President Tinubu have with all this? Absolutely none,” the statement read.
“Blackmailing the President over a situation he has no hand in is sheer baloney and an unfair attempt to besmirch his democratic credentials.”
Onanuga further criticised Obi’s political trajectory, accusing him of abandoning the Labour Party after the 2023 elections.
“After using the Labour Party to contest the highest office in the country, Obi abandoned it in a classic case of use-and-dump, failing to demonstrate leadership in resolving the party’s crisis.”
“Instead, he turned to the Obidient movement, more active online than on the ground, without transforming it into a political structure of his own.”
The presidency maintained that Obi should focus on resolving internal party challenges before making further political moves.
“Obi and his team must resolve their internal party issues before contesting for the 2027 presidential ticket.”
It also dismissed any suggestion that Obi’s performance in the last election guarantees future success.
“The fact that Obi came third in 2023 does not guarantee him similar results in 2027.”
Onanuga added that President Tinubu remains focused on governance and has tangible achievements to present to Nigerians.
“President Tinubu, as the incumbent, has achievements to showcase, yet Obi has been blind to acknowledge them. Let him first become a legitimate candidate before casting aspersions,” the presidency said.
