ADC coalition ‘train’ still moving despite Obi, others’ exit — Atiku’s Aide

A former media aide to ex- Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, Paul Ibe, has said the coalition anchored on the African Democratic Congress remains on track despite the exit of key figures, including former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi.

Ibe made this known in a statement issued on Sunday, following Obi’s resignation from the party, insisting that the coalition continues to gain momentum ahead of its planned primary elections.

Obi had joined forces with Atiku Abubakar, former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi and others in July 2025 to adopt the ADC as a coalition platform aimed at challenging President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 election.

After formally becoming a member on January 1, 2026, Obi announced his exit on Sunday, May 3, citing alleged external interference, internal divisions and growing mistrust within the party.

Reacting, Ibe said the coalition was not shaken by the development and wished Obi and other defectors well.

He stressed that their departure had not slowed the movement, noting that more Nigerians were still aligning with the ADC.

“The coalition train is still on course. Sadly, some persons have gotten off at what they perceived to be their station. The train keeps moving and picking more passengers along its way. We wish them well.

“Presently, our preoccupation is working with other stakeholders of the ADC to successfully deliver on the party’s primary election timetable within a short period,” he said.

PUNCH Online reports that the African Democratic Congress emerged as a rallying platform for opposition figures seeking to build a formidable alliance ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The coalition drive intensified in mid-2025 when prominent politicians, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi, aligned under the ADC to challenge the dominance of the ruling All Progressives Congress.

The move was widely seen as an attempt to consolidate opposition strength following the fragmented outcomes of previous elections, particularly the 2023 presidential poll, where divided opposition votes were considered a key factor in President Bola Tinubu’s victory.

Peter Obi formally joined the ADC on January 1, 2026, after months of speculation about his political future outside his former party. His entry was initially perceived as a boost to the coalition’s credibility, given his strong support base, especially among young and urban voters.

However, internal tensions soon surfaced within the coalition, with reports of disagreements over leadership structure, power-sharing arrangements, and concerns about external influence. These issues culminated in Obi’s resignation on May 3, 2026, barely four months after officially joining the party.

His exit has raised fresh questions about the cohesion and sustainability of the opposition alliance, even as ADC leaders insist that the coalition remains intact and continues to attract new members ahead of its primaries.