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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.
Several candidates recently shortlisted for recruitment into the Nigerian Army from Imo State have sustained varying degrees of injuries after the vehicle conveying them to the Nigerian Army Depot in Zaria, Kaduna State, was involved in a road accident on Saturday.
The candidates were said to be travelling to the training institution to commence their basic military training when the accident occurred.
Military sources familiar with the incident disclosed that the journey was being coordinated under the supervision of Lieutenant Colonel P.D. Ngal.
A military source said the victims had successfully passed the recruitment process and were heading to the Depot Nigerian Army in Zaria to begin their recruit training before the accident disrupted the journey.
“The candidates from Imo State were on their way to the Depot Nigerian Army in Zaria to begin their recruit training when the accident happened this morning,” the source said.
Videos seen by our correspondent showed several injured candidates lying by the roadside and inside damaged vehicles as emergency responders and other travellers made frantic efforts to evacuate them.
Many of the injured candidates were subsequently rushed to nearby hospitals for medical attention.
As of the time of filing this report, the exact cause of the accident and the number of casualties had yet to be officially confirmed.
Benue State Police Command has condemned the killing of the Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Benue State chapter, Ardo Rabo Mohammed, and another man, Yakubu Isa, describing the attack as a senseless criminal act capable of undermining ongoing peace and security efforts in the state.
The victims were reportedly attacked by gunmen while returning from a security meeting along the Okwudu-Ogoli Road in Otukpo Local Government Area.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, said the Commissioner of Police, CP Cletus C.N. Nwadiogbu, condemned the killings and expressed condolences to the families of the deceased.
“The Commissioner of Police strongly condemns in its entirety the brutal killing of the Chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Benue State chapter, Ardo Rabo Mohammed, and one Yakubu Isa, who were reportedly attacked by unknown assailants while returning from a security meeting along Okwudu-Ogoli Road, Otukpo,” the statement read.
According to the police, the command has commenced a full-scale investigation into the incident, with tactical and intelligence teams deployed to track down those responsible.
The Commissioner assured residents that the command would leave no stone unturned in ensuring the perpetrators are identified, arrested and prosecuted.
He appealed to members of the public to remain calm, avoid taking the law into their own hands, and refrain from spreading unverified information capable of escalating tensions.
The police also urged anyone with credible information that could aid the investigation to report to the nearest police station or contact the command through its emergency lines.
Three bandits have been arrested in Benue state after a lady who they had kidnapped and released, identified them at a motor park and raised alarm.
The k!kidnappers came to Ihotu park to board a vehicle to Makurdi and were met by the lady they had earlier kidnapped and released after collecting ransom from her relatives.
They were even using a bag they collected from the girl. The girl raised the alarm, held one inside the vehicle, and two took to their heels, but were caught.
They had a ghana-must-go bag at the back of the vehicle. N11m was found inside the bag.
Following the confirmation of their identity by another lady who was also their victim, mob gathered around with the intent to beat them up and possibly set them ablaze.
But the park manager decided to invite the police and soldiers who rescued them and took them to their station.
It was later gathered that the Benue state Governor, Rev. Father Hyacinth Alia called and said he was interested in the case which made the police to take the apprehended bandits to Makurdi, the state capital.
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