ADC remains strong despite Obi, Kwankwaso exit — Abdullahi

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has reacted to the exit of former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, and former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, saying their departure will not derail the party’s objectives ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, who spoke on Arise Television, described the development as a setback but not a fatal blow to the ADC’s political ambitions.

Obi and Kwankwaso, both 2023 presidential candidates, recently left the ADC for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), a move that has continued to generate political reactions.

Abdullahi said the party respected their decision but insisted the exit appeared to have been premeditated and would not weaken the ADC’s structure.

He acknowledged that losing the two high-profile politicians was significant, but maintained it would not cripple the party’s overall agenda.

“I will be lying to say it didn’t mean anything. No, these are two significant politicians, frontline politicians in this country. When you lose those two politicians, then you feel that you’ve lost something. But it’s not a mortal blow,” he said.

He also dismissed claims by Obi that internal legal disputes and party instability influenced his decision to leave, insisting the ADC remained functional despite ongoing cases.

Abdullahi added that the party would continue to focus on building a strong opposition platform ahead of the next election cycle, stressing that it does not view the defectors as adversaries.