Frontline estate developer and former governorship candidate in Enugu State, Dr. Alexander Chukwuemeka Obiechina, has said supporters of former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, are fully in support of his exit from the African Democratic Congress (ADC), insisting that the move aligns with the aspirations of Nigerians seeking genuine political change ahead of the 2027 elections.

Obiechina, who recently resigned from the ADC and joined the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), said the Obidient Movement never wanted Obi to remain in what he described as a politically compromised environment.

According to him, Obi’s alliance with former New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) leader, Rabiu Kwankwaso, presents a fresh opportunity for building a broad-based coalition capable of delivering a new Nigeria founded on justice, accountability and national unity.

He said the development has effectively ended the “hide-and-seek” between politicians committed to preserving the old order and those genuinely interested in transformational leadership.

Reacting to claims by the ADC that Obi’s departure was pre-planned and not connected to internal challenges within the party, Obiechina argued that some political actors merely sought to capitalise on Obi’s popularity for personal ambitions.

The NDC chieftain alleged that the same political tendencies that plunged the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) into crisis had started playing out within the ADC, adding that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had indirectly exposed attempts by certain interests to dominate the party structure for selfish gains.

Obiechina blamed what he called duplicity among some ADC leaders for the eventual exit of Obi and Kwankwaso, questioning why the party failed to take a firm position on zoning the presidential ticket despite Obi’s commitment to serve only one term if elected president.

“Right from the onset, not many people were deceived by the hidden agenda in ADC. It became obvious that Atiku Abubakar was positioning the party as a vehicle for his personal presidential ambition,” Obiechina stated.

He recalled that after Atiku’s unsuccessful presidential bid in 2019, many stakeholders expected the opposition to respect the rotational principle by allowing power to shift to the South-East or South-South.

According to him, resistance to that arrangement created divisions within the PDP, particularly following disagreements involving former Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike.

“It was the same pattern that was gradually emerging in ADC. Obi only played along to demonstrate commitment to teamwork and national interest,” he added.

Obiechina further said several northern political leaders had advised Atiku to allow younger and emerging leaders a chance to lead the country, but the former vice president allegedly ignored such appeals.

He listed Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, former Senate President Bukola Saraki, former Sokoto State governor Aminu Tambuwal, and political elder Buba Galadima among those who had canvassed generational leadership shift.

“In 2023, he overlooked Obi and settled for Governor Ifeanyi Okowa as running mate. Now, after witnessing the massive and organic support Nigerians have for Peter Obi, there are attempts to distract him with political manoeuvres,” Obiechina said.

“You cannot play such games with a principled and disciplined politician like Peter Obi, who believes strongly in due process and accountable leadership,” he added.