Former NERC chairman Sam Amari has urged Peter Obi, the leading presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), to prepare an alternative strategy if he intends to appear on the 2027 ballot. Amari made the remarks in a post on X, where he also warned of a possible government move to disqualify the ADC.
According to DAILY POST, the ADC, which houses several opposition figures critical of President Bola Tinubu, is currently grappling with an internal leadership dispute. Party insiders have alleged that Tinubu is behind the crisis, seeking to eliminate competition ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
In his X message on Tuesday, Amari – a long‑time supporter of Obi – cautioned that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) could exploit the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the courts to proscribe the ADC. He wrote, “While you are arguing over who has the right to win the primaries and who should be vice‑president, the ruling government, through INC and the courts, may proscribe the ADC.”
Amari claimed to have received a warning from a source familiar with INEC’s operations, stating that the government was preparing to use legal channels to bar the ADC from contesting the election. He advised Obi to “put a Plan B in motion now if you want to be on the ballot,” adding that Tinubu “is mortally afraid for Peter Obi on the ballot” and therefore “cannot campaign rigorously.”
The allegations come amid growing concerns among opposition parties about the fairness of the electoral process. Tinubu’s administration has faced criticism over its handling of electoral reforms, media freedom and the independence of the judiciary. Critics argue that the use of INEC’s regulatory powers to block parties could undermine Nigeria’s democratic credentials ahead of a tightly contested presidential race.
The ADC has not publicly responded to Amari’s claims, and no formal legal action has yet been taken to disqualify the party. INEC, for its part, has not commented on the alleged plot.
If the ADC were to be proscribed, it would significantly reshape the opposition landscape for the 2027 election, potentially consolidating support behind other challengers. Observers will be watching for any legal filings or INEC directives that could signal a move to bar the party from the ballot.
The situation underscores the fragile state of Nigeria’s political contestation ahead of the next general election, highlighting the importance of transparent electoral institutions and the need for opposition parties to safeguard their participation rights.
