Obi, El Rufai Free to Stay in LP and SDP as ADC Confirms Waiver

The African Democratic Congress has cleared the air on the status of Peter Obi and Nasir El-Rufai in the newly formed opposition coalition, confirming that both men have been allowed to remain in their current political parties ahead of the 2027 general election.

The clarification came after concerns were raised about a possible clash with ADC’s strict internal rules. On Tuesday, the party’s interim national chairman, David Mark, had warned against any acts of disloyalty or anti-party behavior within the coalition. His strong words sparked questions about the future of high-profile figures like Obi and El-Rufai, who have yet to formally join ADC despite being closely linked to the new alliance.

Reacting to the confusion, ADC’s interim National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, confirmed in a phone interview that the party had agreed to let both Obi and El-Rufai stay in their original parties—Labour Party and Social Democratic Party respectively—for now. He explained that the decision was made to protect the structures already in place around their supporters and candidates, many of whom are preparing to contest elections under those banners.

Obi’s team had also moved swiftly to calm speculation, stating that their principal was never under pressure to switch parties. According to Dr. Yunusa Tanko, who coordinates the Obidient Movement, Obi had already made his position clear to coalition leaders during the formation stage. He remains committed to the goals of the coalition but continues to stand with the Labour Party for the 2027 race.

There were also attempts to link Obi to statements suggesting he had fully committed to ADC or had been offered a top role within the party. However, his media office firmly denied these reports, labeling them as false and misleading. The team advised the public to ignore any such statements not released through Obi’s verified channels.

The decision to allow Obi and El-Rufai to stay in their legacy parties appears to be a calculated move by the ADC-led coalition. It allows the coalition to maintain unity while giving room for key figures to build on the structures they already control. Both leaders bring wide support bases, and their continued involvement—regardless of party—adds strength to the opposition’s strategy for 2027.

While the coalition moves forward, the ADC insists that its doors remain open to the next generation of leaders and that it will reshape its internal structure from the grassroots to reflect modern political realities. For now, it appears that strategic flexibility is guiding the coalition’s approach, especially with the elections just two years away.