The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has effectively blocked former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, from vying for the presidency under its banner. This decision stems from the party’s constitution, which bars individuals with affiliations to other political parties from seeking the ADC’s top ticket.
Obi, who has publicly expressed interest in running for the presidency in 2027 and has been associated with the ADC, has yet to relinquish his Labour Party membership.
According to the ADC’s guidelines for primary elections, only registered members of the party who are not affiliated with any other political party are eligible to seek nomination for public office. Article 8 of the party’s constitution on membership explicitly states that a person “must not belong to any other political party” and must have resigned from any previous affiliation. This clause presents a significant obstacle for Obi, who remains the leader of the Labour Party and has not formally announced a switch to the ADC.
In contrast, politicians like Atiku Abubakar and Rotimi Amaechi, who have resigned from the PDP and APC, respectively, may be eligible to contest for the ADC’s ticket. Having resigned from their previous parties, they may qualify with their ADC membership and clearance from the party’s National Executive Committee.
When approached for clarification, Obi’s media aide, Tanko Yunusa, confirmed that the former Anambra governor has not left the Labour Party. “Well, that will be made public if he decides to do that. At the moment, he is still a member of the Labour Party,” Yunusa said.
The ADC has underscored the importance of internal democracy, emphasizing that primary elections should be free, fair, and credible, reflecting the genuine choice of its members. The party’s guidelines state, “The electoral committee of the party shall conduct primary elections that will produce credible candidates that reflect the choice of the people. Nomination of candidates for elections into public offices shall be done by members of the Party in accordance with the provisions of the Electoral Act.”
Furthermore, the party has reserved the right to adopt either direct or indirect primaries or a consensus method, as determined by the National Executive Committee. This flexibility allows the party to tailor its primary process to the specific needs of each election, ensuring that the most suitable candidates are selected to represent the party.
The ADC’s constitution and guidelines are designed to promote internal democracy and ensure that the party’s candidates are chosen through a transparent and inclusive process. As the party prepares for the 2027 elections, its commitment to these principles will be crucial in determining the outcome of its primary elections and the party’s overall prospects.
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