Former Kogi West senator, Dino Melaye, has criticised former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, over his recent defection from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), accusing him of avoiding internal party contests.
Obi, alongside former Kano State governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, had exited the ADC amid ongoing leadership disputes and litigation within the party, a move that has triggered a wave of defections to the NDC.
Reacting in a statement, Melaye alleged that Obi has a pattern of avoiding competitive primary elections, claiming he prefers what he described as “easy political routes” rather than engaging in internal party struggles.
He argued that leadership requires the ability to withstand pressure, questioning how Obi would handle national challenges if he could not navigate internal party crises.
Melaye further claimed that Obi’s past political opportunities, including governorship and presidential tickets, were secured without going through rigorous primaries, suggesting that this influenced his decision to leave the ADC.
The former lawmaker also alleged that the NDC’s emergence and recent defections raise broader political questions, though these claims remain part of ongoing political exchanges among party actors.
The remarks come amid intensifying political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, with shifting alliances continuing to reshape Nigeria’s opposition landscape.
