A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Kenneth Okonkwo, has called on supporters of former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, to formally join the party ahead of the 2027 general elections. He warned that Obi’s loyalists who remain outside the ADC can no longer claim to be true “Obidients.”
Okonkwo made the statement on Friday while speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, following Obi’s recent defection to the ADC as part of an opposition coalition.
“When I was in the Labour Party, I said it was a tactical mistake telling your followers they can join all political parties,” Okonkwo said. “I’m very glad that my brother, Peter Obi, has changed the tactic.”
Referring to an interview Obi gave on X Space, Okonkwo noted that the former governor had directed his supporters to align with the ADC.
“He said all the Obidients should go and register as members of the ADC. So if you are an Obidient and you’re not in the ADC, sorry, you’re not an Obidient, you are a disObidient,” he stated.
Okonkwo, who is also a member of the ADC National Working Committee, praised the party’s internal democratic processes, describing it as a platform built on democratic values.
“Anybody you see in the ADC is allowed to join on one condition: you must be a true democrat,” he said. “One thing ADC will not compromise on is internal democracy and living by the tenets of democracy.”
He added that the party deliberately discouraged conditional entry to strengthen its foundation.
“No leader, no opposition leader was allowed to give conditions before entering because we want to exercise discipline,” he said. “That is why everybody took their time to come to ADC, because we want that foundation to be solid.”
Okonkwo also claimed that the South-East has thrown its weight behind the ADC, warning that politicians in the zone who chose other platforms were indirectly supporting the ruling party.
“Now, the South East has gone ADC. Any other politician who is not in the ADC, who wants to do any other party, is working for Tinubu,” he said.
While welcoming Obi’s defection, Okonkwo said the ADC is yet to take a position on zoning its presidential ticket but pledged to support whoever emerges from the party’s primary election.
“He is an ADC member. We work with every ADC member,” he said. “Rest assured, whoever emerges as the presidential candidate of the ADC, I will work for the person.”
