Amanze Chinonye
A member of the National Working Committee of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Kenneth Okonkwo, has intensified calls for supporters of former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, to align formally with the party as preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum.
Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Friday, Okonkwo argued that the Obidient movement had reached a stage where political identity must translate into party structure, insisting that continued affiliation outside the ADC weakens the opposition’s electoral strategy.
He said Obi had now publicly encouraged his supporters to register as ADC members, a move he described as a necessary correction to earlier tactics that allowed the movement to operate across different political platforms.
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“If you are an Obidient and you’re not in the ADC, sorry, you’re not an Obidient, you are a disObidient,” Okonkwo said.
The former Labour Party chieftain portrayed the ADC as a deliberately structured opposition platform built around internal democracy, discipline, and ideological consistency, noting that the party resisted conditional entry by political actors in order to safeguard its founding principles.
According to him, this approach had begun to attract broad-based support, particularly in the South-East, which he claimed was increasingly aligning with the ADC as a vehicle for political change.
“Now, the South-East has gone ADC. Any politician from the zone operating elsewhere is effectively working for Tinubu,” he said.
Okonkwo also used the platform to highlight the country’s worsening economic pressures, citing the steep rise in domestic airfares as an example of the disconnect between official economic narratives and the lived experience of Nigerians. He disclosed that he recently paid ₦250,000 for a flight to Enugu, describing the situation as troubling in the face of government reassurances on inflation.
“It is both embarrassing and frustrating,” he said.
On internal party politics, Okonkwo confirmed that the ADC had yet to decide on zoning its presidential ticket for the 2027 election. He, however, pledged to support whoever emerges from the party’s primaries, including Obi, stressing that his commitment was to the party rather than to individual ambition.
He said the ADC would continue to position itself as a disciplined opposition force capable of offering Nigerians an alternative in the next electoral cycle.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
