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ADC blasts Peter Obi: Go to Anambra and build our party, stop clamouring for zoning of presidential ticket
African Democratic Congress (ADC) has lashed at the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi for clamouring for zoning of the party’s 2027 presidential ticket .
ADC also Obi to make a definitive decision on his involvement with the party rather than giving unnecessary conditions.
The party, while acknowledging Obi as a crucial political leader, emphasised that it would not pressure the former Anambra State governor into joining.
During an interview with ‘Advocacy for Good Governance’ on YouTube on Wednesday, Obi expressed concerns about the stability of the ADC-led coalition, citing unresolved issues, including the zoning arrangement.
Despite these reservations, he reiterated his belief in the coalition’s potential and urged the ADC to resolve these fundamental issues to ensure a credible alliance ahead of the 2027 general elections.
However, the Peter Obi Media Office later denied granting the interview, with his media aide, Ibrahim Umar, asserting that Obi still has confidence in the ADC.
In response to Obi’s remarks, ADC spokesperson Bolaji Abdullahi, speaking with Sunday Punch, stressed that the party was not currently focused on the issue of zoning. Abdullahi stated that the ADC’s priority was to prove to Nigerians that it was a credible alternative to the current political establishment.
“We’re not talking about zoning or no zoning right now. Nigerians are still waiting for us to show them what we will do differently. Zoning is not on the table right now. If that’s the condition for Obi to join us, maybe he should wait until that time,” Abdullahi said.
Abdullahi, while acknowledging Obi’s contributions, urged the LP candidate to make a clear decision about his participation in the coalition.
“We understand what Peter has been saying. But I will encourage him to make up his mind if he wants to be part of the coalition or not. The most important thing for us is convincing Nigerians that we represent a credible alternative, regardless of where the candidate comes from,” Abdullahi added.
Abdullahi emphasised that the ADC was keen on having Obi as part of the coalition, stating that the party wanted to build a political force capable of reshaping Nigerian politics and providing a credible alternative for the electorate.
“For us, we want Peter Obi to join us in building a political party that can reset Nigerian politics and provide a credible alternative to Nigerians. When we get to the point of deciding what his priority is, then we’ll make that decision. But if zoning is the condition for his participation, he should probably wait until we get to that point. We encourage him to make up his mind about joining us now,” Abdullahi said.
He refuted Obi’s characterisation of the coalition as “unstable,” arguing that the ADC had been stable and was expanding across the country.
“It’s unfortunate that he used a word like ‘unstable,’ because instability is not tied to our inability to make decisions about zoning at this point. We are stable. Within five months, we have established offices in 27 or 28 states, even without holding a single political office. That’s a major achievement,” he added.
Abdullahi urged Obi to support the ADC’s efforts to grow the party, particularly in his home state of Anambra, similar to what other leaders had done in their respective states.
“We would like to see Peter Obi go to Anambra and support efforts to build the party, like other leaders have done in their respective states. The party will continue to encourage him. We want him to be part of our journey. We want him to help build the party,” Abdullahi added.
The Supreme Court of Nigeria will on Thursday, deliver judgments in two cases involving the leadership crises rocking the African Democratic Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party.
According to information on the official website of the court, the matters, listed under “Political Appeals”, have been added to the cause list for Thursday, April 30, 2026.
While judgment in the ADC matter, marked SC/CV/180/2026, has been fixed for 2 pm, there is no time yet for that if the PDP.
President Bola Tinubu has written the Senate, seeking the screening and subsequent confirmation of fifteen nominees to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
The letter was read by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
The letter seeks the reconstitution of the commission’s board in line with statutory provisions with the list comprising nominees from diverse professional backgrounds, including the media and legal sectors.
Among the nominees are the President, Nigeria Guild of Editors and Editor, Vanguard Newspapers, Mr. Eze Anaba; and Dr. Salamatu Hussaina Suleiman, who has been proposed as chairman of the board.
The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Anthony Ojukwu (SAN) is to retain his position as the Chief Executive Officer.
Other nominees include Mrs Roseline Tasha, Ambassador Adam Yubak Baku, ACG Felix Lawrence, Mr. Edmund Chinonye, Mr. Chinonye Obiaku (SAN), Oluwakemi Asiwaju Okere-Odo, Professor Adedeji Ogunji, Kingsley Chidozie, Mohammed Adelodu, Maupe Ogun Yusuf, and Otunba Francis Meshioye as members.
Also nominated are Patience Patrick and Hawwa Ibrahim, listed as members.
The President said the nominations were made pursuant to Section 2(3) of the National Human Rights Commission (Establishment) Act, 2010, which empowers him to constitute the board subject to Senate confirmation.
He explained that the reconstitution of the board was necessary to enhance the commission’s institutional capacity and enable it to more effectively discharge its mandate to promote and protect human rights across the country.
If confirmed, the new board is expected to play a critical role in reinforcing the NHRC’s oversight functions, particularly at a time of heightened concerns over rights protection and accountability in Nigeria.
Following the presentation of the request, the Senate referred the nominations to its Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters for screening and report within two weeks.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has revealed that it investigated the founder of Streams of Joy International, Pastor Jerry Eze, for six months over suspected money laundering before clearing him.
Ola Olukoyede, chairman of the Commission, disclosed this on Wednesday while speaking at the Jerry Eze Foundation Business Grant Award Ceremony in Abuja.
According to him, the probe was triggered by intelligence reports and petitions after the commission observed large inflows of foreign currencies into the cleric’s domiciliary account.
“We work by intelligence, we work by petitions. At some point, I saw there was an account, a domiciliary account. Dollars, pounds were dropping in like raindrops, from Colombia, from America, from Sri Lanka, even from Togo.
“I said who is this man? Yes, I’ve been hearing about his name, I’ve seen his face a couple of times. I never bothered about what he was doing. I knew he was a pastor.
“So they said this one pastor of streams of joy, go and investigate him. So we went to the investigation. We combed the books,” Olukoyede stated.
The EFCC boss said he subsequently invited Eze for questioning after preliminary findings were compiled by investigators.
He added that upon meeting the cleric and reviewing the findings of the investigation, the commission found no wrongdoing.
“So he came to my office. He told me what happens and all of that, and how the money came, what he does, how he has been helping people, and all of that.
“I said, you know what, I didn’t call you here to explain to me. We have already done our work. I called you here to commend you,” he stated.
The remark drew applause from the audience, as Eze, who was present at the event, acknowledged the commendation.
He noted that the commission has a responsibility not only to investigate financial crimes but also to recognise individuals found to have acted with integrity.
The EFCC chairman, however, stated that the agency would continue to monitor financial activities where necessary, stressing that its preventive mandate remains critical in tackling corruption.
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