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ADC kickstarts 2027 manifesto drive

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• Opposition coalition pledges fair ground for Atiku, Obi, Amaechi, others

• Dele Momodu quits PDP, Kachikwu warns Obi against accepting VP slot

As speculations intensify over who emerges as the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress ahead of the 2027 general elections, the party’s leadership has insisted its immediate priority is to build a strong ideological base before endorsing any individual for the nation’s top office.

Amid growing support for political heavyweights such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, and ex-Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, the ADC’s interim leadership said it would not be drawn into what it described as “premature agitations.”

Interim National Chairman of the party, David Mark, had, at various times, insisted that the new coalition had no favourite presidential candidate amid reports that Atiku, Obi and Amaechi were frontrunners for the party’s ticket for the 2027 election.

Mark assured Nigerians that the party would maintain complete transparency under his leadership, after the ADC’s 2023 presidential candidate, Dumebi Kachikwu, had accused the Mark-led interim leadership of the party of being biased in favour of Atiku.

Mark stated, “The ADC has no preferred or favourite presidential aspirant but has set out to first put out a platform that would be attractive and acceptable to the majority of Nigerians.

“We are doing this because we do not want this great ship called Nigeria to sink, because if we do not rise, and now, they will sink all of us.

“I don’t own this party more than any of our members, and I urge all members to prepare to show Nigerians that ADC is a different party.”

Addressing the continued agitations on the party’s presidential candidate on Thursday, interim National Publicity Secretary of ADC, Bolaji Abdullahi, said the party was focused on crafting a unified manifesto to which all candidates, irrespective of status, must adhere.

Abdullahi said the party was poised not to toe the line of what he described as “aberration” where candidates, upon their emergence as standard bearers, begin to craft their manifesto not guided by their party.

The ADC publicity secretary avowed that the party was poised to structure a strong political party that disciplined its members and ensured that its members aligned with the party’s ideals.

Abdullahi said, “ADC is building a strong political party that can discipline its members. That’s where other parties got it wrong. A party must be able to discipline its members.

“In the Second Republic, no matter how useless a Unity Party of Nigeria governor was, he must do free education, that’s an example of a party that’s able to discipline its members, no matter how highly placed, that’s what we are trying to build.

“I’ll give you one indicator, normally, when a candidate emerges on the platform of a political party, whether contesting for the office of governor or President, that’s when the individual candidate will start talking about how he will develop his manifesto, but that’s an aberration.

“What the ADC is doing now is to develop its manifesto and programme that addresses the needs of the Nigerian people. So, whoever is elected under the party platform, the party is the one handing the candidate the party manifesto and holding the candidate accountable based on that alone.”

On when the ADC would pick its presidential candidate, Abdullahi reiterated focus on building the party but stated that it had one eye on aligning with the guidelines and calendar of the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission.

Abdullahi added that the ADC would provide a transparent process guided by INEC’s timetable and would not “pick” candidates behind closed doors.

“We are not going to pick a candidate. We are going to provide a level playing field for all aspirants in a transparent manner that will inspire the confidence of all concerned,” Abdullahi added.

“We are new and strengthening the party, nobody is having the conversation about who will be the party bearer, the most important thing is to build a strong political party that will be able to provide a very virile opposition and give hope to Nigerians.

“Who will be the party bearer is a question that will be answered down the line. When that time comes, we are sure that justice will be done to everyone and everyone has had the opportunity to express themselves.”

Despite this position, agitation within the party continues, with supporters of Atiku and Obi already pushing for an early endorsement. There are reports that Atiku’s camp is lobbying Obi to accept a vice-presidential slot to strengthen the party’s electoral chances.

However, this has drawn sharp criticism from former ADC presidential candidate, Dumebi Kachikwu, who warned Obi against playing second fiddle in any alliance.

At a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, Kachikwu described such a move as politically immoral and a betrayal of the South’s rightful claim to the Presidency after eight years of northern rule under former President Muhammadu Buhari.

The politician described any such alliance as unjust and politically immoral, especially in light of Nigeria’s power rotation dynamics.

“It is morally right for anybody from a major party running for 2027 to be from the South. It is equitable. That is all we ask,” he said.

The ADC chieftain accused northern political actors of plotting to retain power in the region even though the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, a northerner, spent eight years in office before the current administration.

“In the last two weeks, they have been boasting, insulting, and saying they want to chase President Bola Tinubu from office. The question I always ask people around me is, at the end of all the insults being passed on to the President, what next?”

Kachikwu expressed concern over alleged attempts to manipulate Obi into accepting a vice-presidential slot under Atiku.

“Instead, what we are seeing is recruiting people around Peter Obi to keep singing into his ears that he can’t do it. They are striving to convince him to instead accept to become Atiku’s vice presidential candidate.

“What manner of rubbish is that? He must not accept it. That is their strategy,” he said.

Backing Obi’s credentials to stand independently, Kachikwu added, “Obi has all it takes to aspire and win an election. He has the brain. They told me that too, that as an Igbo man, I don’t have what it takes to become President. Why? Don’t I pay my taxes? So, why can’t I aspire for the highest office in the land?”

He stressed that any political coalition aimed at unseating Tinubu must originate from the South and be grounded in equity and national unity.

Kachikwu also slammed efforts to hijack the ADC structure through inducements, alleging that some state chairmen were being offered bribes to step down.

“They are offering some of the state chairmen as much as N20m to resign their positions, which goes to show that their intentions are not honourable,” he alleged

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Obi urges issue-based campaigns

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Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has urged the media to demand issue-based campaigns from politicians ahead of the 2027 general elections, rather than allowing character assassination and name-calling to dominate political discourse.

Obi made the call on Friday at the 22nd All Nigeria Editors Conference in Enugu, urging journalists to use their position as managers of information to promote campaigns focused on good governance, unity, security and prosperity.

He said the media should challenge politicians who deviated from issue-based campaigns or attempted to prevent opponents from campaigning.

Obi said, “As we approach the election, I have only one thing I will plead that you include in your discussion. We made a choice to be a democratic country, and that choice is a choice that can help our country to grow.

“It is important that you help us, the politicians, to ensure that as we approach the election, our discussions, our campaigns, everything we do, is strictly based on issues that will bring good governance, unity, security and prosperity to the country.”

The former Anambra State governor also called for an environment conducive for political parties and candidates to campaign freely.

Obi recalled that political opponents were allowed to campaign in Anambra during his tenure as governor, citing visits by former Lagos State governor, Babatunde Fashola, former President Olusegun Obasanjo and former Abia State governor, Orji Uzor Kalu.

He said Fashola campaigned for Chris Ngige, while Obasanjo campaigned for Andy Uba and Kalu for Uche Ekwunife.

According to Obi, the campaigns did not result in confrontations because the people were allowed to make their choices.

“So we need that conducive environment to campaign as a country, to make it work,” he said.

Obi also dismissed reports of a disagreement between him and the Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, describing the governor as his “respected elder brother.”

He said their relationship had remained cordial despite differences over issues concerning the state. He added that he and his wife were godparents to Soludo’s children.

“Me and Soludo are close. As a banker, he was my customer. And we have not changed. If I see him, I greet him, I respect his office he’s the governor,” Obi said.

“So, we’re not quarrelling! And we will never quarrel! If I see him any day, me and him will hug and everything,” he said.

Obi also defended his record on Anambra’s finances, disputing claims about the debt allegedly left by his administration.

He said Anambra’s external debt stood at about $18m when he assumed office and about $30m when he left in March 2014.

Obi further claimed that he left more than $150m in investments for the state when he left office. His position is that development facilities attributed to his administration should be assessed based on their approval, drawdown and repayment records.

Meanwhile, a medical practitioner, Dr Richard Okoye of SaveALife Mission Hospital, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, urged Nigerians to pay greater attention to their health amid economic pressures.

Speaking at the conference, Okoye identified stress, hypertension and diabetes as major health concerns and advised Nigerians to undergo regular medical checks even when they felt healthy.

He said untreated hypertension and diabetes could contribute to stroke, heart failure and kidney disease.

Okoye also cautioned against the indiscriminate use of sexual-enhancement drugs and drinks, urging men to pay attention to their cardiovascular and sexual health.

He advised Nigerians to seek appropriate medical care rather than attributing health problems solely to spiritual causes.

The two-day conference, organised by the Nigerian Guild of Editors, is being held in Enugu under the theme, ‘The Ballot, the Media and the Task of Keeping Democracy Alive’, with a sub-theme focused on detecting and debunking artificial intelligence-generated disinformation ahead of the 2027 election

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Tinubu Is Disconnected From Nigerians – APM

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Anyone who rigs election under me will go to jail — Obi

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Presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has vowed to jail anyone found rigging an election under his administration, saying the punishment would apply even where only one vote was involved.

Obi made the declaration in an interview with ARISE NEWS on Thursday, September 24, 2026, while outlining his position on electoral integrity, opposition politics and democratic governance ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

“I’ve said it, and I’ll say it again: if I am the serving president of this country, whoever rig elections will be in jail. Even for one vote, you will be in jail,” Obi said

He also pledged that political parties, including opposition parties, would not be harassed under his administration, saying his government would involve them in decisions affecting the country.

“No political party will be harassed; we will support them,” he said.

“We will be working with opposition political parties if there’s a matter of state where we have to take a decision, especially in a situation like we find ourselves now. We will invite all opposition.

“It’s a country, everyone is involved, and I want to involve everybody.

Obi said opposition members would also be involved in government decisions when he travels outside the country.

“I will make sure that even if I have to take foreign trips, opposition members will be involved in decisions, because it’s important.

“It’s our country. For our children, we must build a stable, united, and secure country.”

The NDC candidate also said he would remain accessible to Nigerians and prioritise being physically present in the country.

“It doesn’t matter who is in office. I’m telling you that I will offer that.

“Nobody will look for me and say, ‘Where is Peter?’ I won’t be on holiday; I must be in Nigeria.”

Obi also criticised what he described as restrictions placed on his campaign activities in some states, saying political candidates should be allowed to campaign freely regardless of their opponents’ political affiliations.

He said his appeal was not limited to his own candidacy but was aimed at protecting the democratic space.

“That’s it—to ensure that Nigeria works for the future of our children.”

Obi recalled that, as governor of Anambra State, he allowed political opponents to campaign in the state and provided facilities for them.

“When Governor Fashola of Lagos State told me he was coming to Anambra State, Charles, I gave him my car—it was my convoy that he used to go for that campaign.”

He also recalled accompanying former President Olusegun Obasanjo when he campaigned for another candidate in Anambra State.

“As governor of the state, when President Obasanjo came to campaign for Andy, I went with him.

“He was there telling people, ‘Peter has done well, but this man will do better.’ No problem!”

Obi similarly recalled providing lunch for former Abia State Governor Orji Uzor Kalu when he campaigned for Uche Ekwunife.

“After my lunch, standing in front of me with Uche Ekwunife, he told the press people, ‘Peter has done well, but Uche will do better.’

“That’s democracy, because I wanted the people to vote. There was no issue.”

Anambra debt dispute

On the dispute over his record as former Anambra governor, Obi rejected claims that he left the state with $123m in debt, insisting that he did not borrow money from any financial institution during his tenure.

“Let me categorically state again: I, Mr. Peter Obi, did not approach any financial institution to borrow money or issue bonds on behalf of Anambra State in the eight years that I was in government.”

He said the state was not owing salaries, gratuities, pensions, contractors or suppliers whose jobs had been completed, certified and verified when he left office.

Obi also said the World Bank and International Fund for Agricultural Development facilities referenced in the debt claims were concessionary development support obtained by the Federal Government and subsequently on-lent to qualifying states.

He said Anambra’s foreign debt was about $18m when he assumed office and about $30m when he left office in March 2014.

According to Obi, the state’s financial position at the time included more than $150m in dollar-denominated savings invested in bonds, which he said generated about $10m annually.

He argued that even if the debt figure being claimed by the state government were accepted, the funds he left behind would have been sufficient to clear the obligation.

Obi also presented what he described as his handover document, urging ARISE NEWS to verify the figures with the World Bank and Nigerian banks.

“Please publish these documents. I’m urging you, please.

“The World Bank is in Abuja; they can give you the history of the drawdowns. The banks mentioned here are Nigerian banks; you have access to their headquarters. Ask them whether this money was there.

Obi speaks on Soludo, Tinubu

On his relationship with Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo, Obi said he had no dispute with the governor.

“I don’t have any dispute, talk less of being bitter, with my very respected elder brother, Governor Soludo.

“We remain brothers. He’s the governor of my state, and I respect him.”

Obi also criticised President Bola Tinubu’s absence from Nigeria, saying the President had remained outside the country beyond the period he initially announced.

“The CEO being present is critical at a time of crisis, not delegation.

“Yes, you have a chain of command, but where is the president? Nigerians ought to know.”

Obi rejects reported Kwankwasiyya campaign council

On the Obedient Kwankwasiyya Movement’s reported campaign council, Obi said the group did not have his approval and should operate as a support group rather than a parallel political structure.

“I was not aware, and that’s why I’m disapproving it here.”

The former Anambra governor also expressed openness to discussions on opposition cooperation, including the possibility of a presidential candidate stepping aside as part of efforts to strengthen democratic competition.

“When he comes, I’m not desperate to be president; I’m desperate to see Nigeria work. When he comes, it’s a discussion.”

Obi said opposition parties should focus on ensuring free, fair and credible elections, preventing violence and campaigning on issues affecting ordinary Nigerians.

“What I’m saying is that we should all come together and save democracy, ensure that election is free, fair, and credible, violence-free, and that we campaign on issues affecting ordinary Nigerians.”

In August, Obi defended his political record, saying he had never been involved in election rigging, violence, or any form of malpractice throughout his career.

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