Former lawmaker Shehu Sani has responded to criticism from members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) after former presidential candidates Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso announced they would leave the party.
Daily Post reported that Obi and Kwankwaso, who contested the 2023 presidential election, decided to resign from the ADC ahead of the upcoming electoral cycle. Their departure has sparked a backlash from segments of the party, particularly supporters of former vice‑president Atiku Abubakar, who have publicly attacked the two politicians and their allies.
In a Facebook post, Sani said the criticism stems from ADC leaders who allegedly viewed Obi and Kwankwaso as political assets. “Marriage is not by force,” he wrote, adding that many of those attacking the former candidates “wanted to use them for power rituals” and “wanted to rob Peter to pay Paul.” He claimed that Obi fled after being confronted by an “ADC gang at Gwagwalada.”
The incident highlights internal tensions within the ADC as it prepares for the next election. The party, founded in 2005, has been seeking to consolidate its position as a third‑force alternative to the dominant Peoples Democratic Party and All Progressives Congress. The departure of high‑profile figures such as Obi and Kwankwaso could affect the party’s strategic calculations and its ability to attract voters.
Atiku Abubakar, the ADC’s most prominent member and a former vice‑president who ran for president in 2023, has not publicly commented on the dispute. His supporters’ response indicates a broader contest over the party’s direction and alliances.
Political analysts note that defections are common in Nigeria’s fluid party system, where politicians often shift affiliations to enhance electoral prospects. The current friction may prompt the ADC leadership to reevaluate its internal cohesion and outreach strategies ahead of the 2027 elections.
The developments underscore the challenges faced by emerging parties in balancing the ambitions of prominent politicians with the expectations of grassroots members, a dynamic that will likely influence Nigeria’s political landscape in the coming years.
