Peter Obi’s 2027 Presidential Ambition in Limbo as ADC and Labour Party Tensions Deepen
Story: written by uzuh Rita October 13,2025
The 2027 presidential bid of former Anambra State governor Peter Obi remains uncertain as confusion continues to surround the political platform on which he will contest the election.
Obi, who ran for president in 2023 under the Labour Party (LP), is a key figure in the coalition of opposition leaders seeking to unseat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.
On July 2, 2025, opposition leaders including Obi, Atiku Abubakar, David Mark, Nasir El-Rufai, and Rotimi Amaechi adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as their preferred platform for the next general elections.
However, Obi’s chances of securing the ADC presidential ticket appear increasingly slim as senior party members reportedly favor Atiku Abubakar as their likely flagbearer.
A party insider revealed that the ADC plans to hold a primary election rather than adopt a consensus candidate, which may pit Obi directly against Atiku.
Obidient Movement Rejects “Dollarised” Primaries
Leaders of Obi’s grassroots support base, the Obidient Movement, have publicly stated that he will not participate in what they describe as “dollarised” delegate primaries.
The movement’s national coordinator, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, said Obi’s political principles do not align with the “money-driven” nature of most party primaries.
“Peter Obi will not join them in paying delegates for votes,” Tanko said. “Those with stolen wealth will always dominate such contests. Obi believes in a clean process, not a monetized one.”
Tanko also argued that since the presidency is zoned to the South, there should be no reason to push for a northern candidate within the ADC, adding that such clarity would make the election more winnable.
When asked whether Obi might consider defecting to another platform if denied the ADC ticket, Tanko responded, “When we reach that bridge, we will cross it.”
ADC Keeps Silent on Zoning and Consensus
The ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, maintained that the party’s immediate focus was on expansion, not presidential nominations.
“Nobody in ADC is currently discussing consensus or primaries,” Abdullahi said. “We are still building the party and focusing on our internal growth before talking about candidates.”
He also clarified that Obi and El-Rufai have not yet become card-carrying members of the ADC, explaining that Obi intends to first support Labour Party candidates in the upcoming Anambra governorship election before making any formal move.
Labour Party Crisis Threatens Obi’s Chances
Meanwhile, analysts believe Obi’s path back to the Labour Party is equally uncertain due to the party’s ongoing leadership crisis.
Political analyst Dr. Anabi Samuel warned that the factional national chairman, Julius Abure, and his loyalists could frustrate Obi’s return bid.
“Peter Obi has made too many enemies within the LP,” Samuel said. “Even if he decides to return, the internal resistance could cripple his campaign before it begins. The same people who benefited from his 2023 run are now positioning to block him.”
Samuel suggested that if Obi fails to secure the ADC ticket, he may need to pause his presidential ambition unless a major party like the PDP agrees to offer him its platform.
No Automatic Ticket for Obi – Labour Party
Despite widespread belief that Peter Obi gave the Labour Party its national prominence, the party leadership has made it clear that there will be no automatic ticket for him in 2027.
Factional National Publicity Secretary Obiora Ifoh said, “Our primaries will be open and democratic. Every aspirant will go through the normal process. Granting automatic tickets is undemocratic and against our constitution.”
With divisions widening in both the ADC and Labour Party, political observers say Peter Obi’s 2027 path to the presidency remains highly uncertain, hinging on his next strategic move.
