Obi’s exit from ADC sets Igbo presidency ambition back by 20 years – Maigari

A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Kasimu Maigari, has said the political trajectory of former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has set back the South East’s quest for the presidency by two decades.

Maigari, who is a member of the ADC National Legislators’ Forum, made the remark during an interview on ARISE News while assessing political shifts ahead of the 2027 general elections. He argued that Obi’s movement has failed to strengthen the region’s long-standing ambition to produce Nigeria’s president and has instead weakened it.

“My worry is not if Peter Obi will win the presidency; my worry is that Peter Obi has pushed Igbo’s 20 years backwards from getting the Presidency,” Maigari said.

He also claimed that many supporters of Obi and former Kano State governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, are motivated by personal political gain rather than shared ideology.

“Peter Obi will not win the 2027 election; it is very obvious,” he stated. “The only people who follow Obi and Kwankwaso are those who think they will rise on their backs to get elected and then defect and leave them.”

Maigari further alleged that most of Obi’s followers are leveraging his popularity to pursue elective positions, including seats in state assemblies, the House of Representatives, and governorship offices.

“99 per cent of those running around Peter Obi have the ambition of running either state assembly, House of Rep or governor and the only easiest way for them to win an election is when Peter Obi or Rabiu Kwankwaso is on the ballot,” he added.

Speaking on the ADC’s readiness for the next election cycle, Maigari maintained that the party remains united and strategically positioned, adding that Obi’s influence in some regions could work to its advantage.

“ADC remains intact. Peter Obi is going to serve as our agent in the places Tinubu thought he was going to make it, and this is our advantage as ADC,” he said.

He added that the party is focused on consolidating its structure as preparations for future political contests continue.

Tribune Online reports that Obi recently dumped the ADC for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

Obi cited growing internal tensions and systemic challenges in the ADC, issues he said mirror those he previously faced in the Labour Party (LP).