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Why Obi, El-Rufai haven’t joined ADC yet — Bolaji Abdullahi 

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African Democratic Congress, yesterday, ADC, yesterday, addressed the delay in the full membership of the 2023 presidential candidate of Labour Party, LP, Mr Peter Obi and former Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai in the party.

This came as former Director-General of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Governors’ Forum, Mr CID Maduabum, resigned from the PDP and joined the ADC.

Also, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Delta State, Chief Ayiri Emami, has dismissed concerns that former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, would ditch the APC for the ADC, ahead of the 2027 general elections.

This is even as members of Obedient Movement weekend, warned ADC against selling its presidential ticket to the highest bidder.

Meanwhile, former Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria, VoN, Mr Osita Okechukwu, yesterday, declared that no leader of the ADC could inherit late former President Muhammadu Buhari’s 12 million votes.

Speaking at a media briefing in Abuja over the weekend, the ADC’s Interim National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, explained that both Obi and el-Rufai were allowed to complete certain electoral processes within their former political parties.

He said: “They were given the opportunity to finalise pending elections, including by-elections and the selection of governorship candidates, within their legacy parties.”

He reassured the public that both Obi and El-Rufai remained committed to the ADC coalition and would formally join the party after completing those processes.

Addressing concerns about the party’s internal democracy, Abdullahi said: “We have no hidden agenda or preferred candidate. Everyone will have a fair chance in the race for the party’s ticket.”

On legal matters, the interim spokesperson dismissed claims that the ADC was facing major legal issues.

“We are confident in the legality of every step we have taken. We made sure we closed all loopholes the ruling party might try to use against us,” he added.

He also kicked against the recent restriction order issued against Mr Obi by Edo State governor, Monday Okpebholo, describing it as undemocratic and a sign of growing authoritarianism among APC governors.

He pointed to a statement by the governor declaring Peter Obi unwelcome in his state, as an example of this disturbing development.

“Nigeria is a free country, and every citizen has the right to travel freely across the nation. We don’t need visas to move within our own country.

“Since they failed to turn Nigeria into a one-party state, their new strategy is to issue threats, warning us not to visit their states. This is unacceptable and goes against the principles of democracy,” Abdullahi said.

Ex-PDP Govs’ Forum DG joins ADC

In a related development, former Director-General of the PDP Governors’ Forum, C.I.D Maduabum, has resigned from the PDP and joined the ADC.

Maduabum in a statement yesterday, blamed what he called the party’s “moral decay” and internal breakdown for his decision to leave.

He said: “The PDP today is a shadow of what it used to be. It has collapsed into confusion, betrayal, and destruction by people who care nothing about the values on which it was built.

“I can no longer stay in a house that has lost its moral direction and is now controlled by opportunists.
“The ADC offers a platform for meaningful change, leadership that puts people first, and a fresh start to rebuild Nigeria from the ground up.”

Maduabum explained that his decision to join the ADC was not just a change of party, but also a move towards real political reform.

“I have joined the ADC as a reformer, committed to building a political culture based on merit, values, discipline, youth inclusion, and national unity.

“The time has come for all well-meaning citizens to take a firm stand against the rot in our political system.
“I remain committed to justice, fairness, and service to the people. The fight to rescue Nigeria and restore its promise has started, and this time, on a stronger foundation,’’ he said.

Obidients warn party against selling presidential ticket to highest bidder

Also, members of Obidient Movement in Ebonyi State weekend warned the ADC, coalition not to sell its presidential ticket to the highest bidder in 2027 election.

The movement reiterated that the Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Mr. Peter Obi, remained the most qualified to lead Nigeria out of its current challenges.

It made a declaration during an event in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, to mark Obi’s 64th birthday anniversary, saying the presidential primary election should be free and fair for every aspirant seeking the presidency.

The event, which wrapped up a week-long series of activities, featured donations to vulnerable groups, including visits to a motherless babies’ home, a leprosy centre, and the distribution of free Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), to 100 motorcyclists in Ebonyi State.

Speaking to newsmen, a member of the National Advisory Committee of Obidient Movement, Dr. Ezeh Emmanuel Ezeh, described Obi as “an institution of hope”.

He said Obi as former Anambra State governor embodied the character, competence, capacity and compassion the country desperately needed in its current economic and political state.

“Within the week, we visited vulnerable places, hospitals, leprosy homes, and mother-and-baby shelters across the state. It is important to note that what is happening here in Ebonyi is also happening across the country and in the diaspora, wherever Nigerians are.

“We believe that Peter Obi, who is an institution of hope, represents the hope of the common man. Despite how bad things are, from corruption and economic mismanagement to leadership failure, we believe that a Peter Obi presidency is what Nigeria needs at this time,’’ Ezeh said.

In his remarks, the 2023 governorship candidate of Labour Party in the state, Mr. Splendour Oko Eze, cautioned leaders of the coalition party against turning the presidential race into a contest for the highest bidder.

He said: “Nobody is more qualified than Peter Obi. For those suggesting he should settle for vice president, how can a man who pulled this kind of votes? Who transformed a party with no structure into one that produced senators, House of Reps members, and even a governor, but was pushed aside?

“I want to warn the coalition parties: do not impose any candidate on the people. The coalition should be a platform for liberating poor Nigerians, not for selling tickets to the highest bidder. The most qualified person is Peter Obi.”

Omo-Agege has no plan to leave APC for ADC, but…, Ayiri Emami

Meanwhile, an APC stalwart, Chief Ayiri Emami, who spoke in the wake of recent defections into the APC, particularly in Delta State, said the former Deputy Senate President had no intention of dumping the APC.

Emami said: “People like Omo-Agege, I know, I can speak categorically about him, he doesn’t have a plan to leave. But one thing I know some of us will not accept is a situation where you come in and say you want to push us out. We will not allow it. That might cause another chaos. Nobody will leave.

“I don’t believe anybody can push me out. If I decide to step aside, that is a different issue.

“I am always very reasonable. If I meet somebody, somewhere, I will try as much as possible to see how we can work together, but a situation where you will come and say no and you want to lord it over us, I don’t think Asiwaju believes in that kind of politics because he is a politician, he knows what that means.

“People like me were almost killed because of APC in our community, even up to the issues we had in our palace, it was all political. I was accused of using the palace to do APC and today, everybody is there, and I am happy.

“I know a lot of people who were killed back then because they associated with APC. The APC chairman in Delta State is supposed to unite everybody. So those are the people causing confusion in that state.

“These were people that Ovie singlehandedly put together to ensure that they build up a party. As at then, some of us were telling him that what you are doing, don’t do it with your tribal people.

‘’I was against Ovie then because I said you cannot be running for governor, at the same time you have a party chairman from your place. Normally, if you are having a governor from the Central, the chairmanship comes to the South, the deputy governor goes to the North. So I was opposed to it, but the powers that be then did not see where I was coming from.”

No ADC leader can inherit Buhari’s 12m bloc votes — Okechukwu

mEqually speaking on ADC weekend, former D-G of VoN, Mr Osita Okechukwu, declared that no ADC leader could inherit late Buhari’s 12 million vote-bank.

Speaking after an interdenominational church service in honour of Buhari, Mr Okechukwu said: “With the greatest respect to prominent politicians who expectedly want to inherit late President Buhari’s much celebrated 12 million vote-bank, one wishes to submit that the Buhari’s shoe is too big and his uncommon humanity, integrity, transparency quotient and moral compass are antithetical and herculean task to their aspirations.

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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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