The National Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Bolaji Abdullahi, has revealed that former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, once threatened to leave the opposition coalition over concerns that former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, was receiving preferential treatment.
Abdullahi disclosed this during an interview with Symfoni TV on Thursday amid growing discussions over internal alignments within the coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to him, Amaechi confronted the coalition’s national chairman after developing concerns that too many concessions were being made to Obi within the alliance.
“There was a time that His Excellency Rotimi Amaechi went to the national chairman and was threatening to leave the coalition,” Abdullahi said.
“He felt that the chairman was pandering to Peter Obi, that he was conceding everything to Peter Obi.”
ADC Denies Obi Was Marginalised
The ADC spokesman dismissed suggestions that Obi had been sidelined within the coalition, insisting that the former Anambra State governor had instead been given significant influence in the party structure.
Abdullahi disclosed that one of his deputies was nominated by Obi, while the position of National Organising Secretary was also ceded to Obi’s camp as part of efforts to accommodate him within the alliance.
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According to him, the arrangement came at the expense of former Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka, who had reportedly worked extensively for the coalition before Obi joined.
“Before Peter Obi joined the coalition, you had people like Osita Chidoka working very hard for coalition building. He was hoping to be the National Organising Secretary,” he said.
“But when Peter Obi came, in order to bring him in and give him a sense of belonging, that’s how we lost Osita Chidoka because we gave that position to Peter Obi to nominate.”
‘Politics Is a Game of Addition’
Abdullahi further stated that Obi was allowed to nominate other individuals into party structures as part of broader negotiations aimed at strengthening the coalition.
He defended the concessions, describing them as necessary political compromises to build a stronger opposition alliance ahead of 2027.
“The more people we are able to lock in, and if we have to make some concessions that are not going to kill anybody, then we have to make those concessions,” he said.
Obi Has No Reason to Complain — Abdullahi
The ADC spokesman maintained that Obi had no reason to complain about marginalisation or an unfriendly political environment within the coalition.
“If anybody should be complaining of a toxic environment or marginalisation within the party, no, no, no. I don’t think His Excellency Peter Obi, given what I know to be the truth,” Abdullahi added.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.