2027: Obi, Kwankwaso’s exit painful – Anambra ADC chieftain

A top member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and former deputy governorship candidate of the party during the November 8, 2025 gubernatorial election in Anambra State, Chief Ndubuisi Nwobu, on Friday described the exit of Peter Obi, former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, and others from the party as painful.

He said that as leaders, Obi, Kwankwaso, and other key chieftains of the ADC who defected to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) should have waited to resolve the party’s internal problems rather than swiftly moving to another platform.

Nwobu spoke while briefing newsmen shortly after the ADC Anambra Leadership Consultative Meeting held on Friday in Awka, the state capital.

He noted that Peter Obi, the Labour Party candidate in the 2023 general elections, could have shown restraint and commitment to the ADC — even in the face of the party’s numerous pending litigations — rather than leaving unceremoniously with others.

He vowed that despite the development, leaders and members of the state chapter of the ADC remain resolute to see through the electoral battle ahead of next year’s general elections.

According to him, the national leadership of the party was not given the opportunity to settle down, as news of the defections began circulating less than 24 hours before the Supreme Court judgment last Thursday, continuing through Friday and Saturday and culminating on Sunday when it was widely reported.

Nwobu disclosed that the ADC in Anambra State currently has about nine House of Representatives and six State House of Assembly aspirants who have purchased nomination forms to contest the 2027 elections, with more indicating interest to join the race.

He further maintained that all those who have indicated interest to contest various positions are well prepared and in high spirits.

“We feel pains that these people left the party (ADC); definitely it’s going to affect the gains of the party. There’s no point saying every other thing. That having been said I am telling you that those who remain in the party are resolute and prepared to run the course,” he said.

He said the ADC Anambra Leadership Consultative Meeting reaffirmed loyalty and support to the national leadership under David Mark as national chairman and Rauf Aregbesola as national secretary.

Nwobu, flanked by Hon. Christian Okeke, Ven. Chris Orajekwe, Arch. Afam Moma, Samuel Ikefuna, Reginald Akunekwe, and Ben Chuks Nwosu, said “the state leaders reaffirm loyalty and support of the ADC Anambra State to the national leadership headed by Senator David Mark and His Excellency Rauf Aregbesola.”

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“The meeting resolved to commend the founding chairman of the ADC, Chief Ralph Okey Nwosu, for the exemplary show of representing the ADC platform as an umbrella body for the coalition and his selfless role in navigating the coalition to its fruition.”

“And we wish to affirm that the ADC’s best is from Anambra State and Anambra State will not be found wanting in the efforts of the party to achieve success during the 2027 general elections,” he said.

“For our brothers who has moved on to other platforms, we wish them well. I look forward to a day we will all join hands together to salvage this country,” Nwobu stated.

He explained that no new leadership has been inaugurated in Anambra, adding that it was unnecessary for anyone to claim to have resigned while the party is still contending with issues of offices and the conduct of congresses before the Federal High Court.

Nwobu stated that the inauguration of officials elected at congresses across the states would take place on May 11.