Amaechi threatened to leave coalition over Peter Obi – ADC spokesman

Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the national publicity secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) says Rotimi Amaechi once threatened to leave the opposition coalition over concerns that the party leadership was favouring Peter Obi.

Abdullahi spoke during an interview with Symfoni TV on Thursday amid ongoing discussions over internal power dynamics within the opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to the ADC spokesman, Amaechi had approached the party’s national chairman over what he perceived as preferential treatment being given to Obi within the coalition.

His words: “There was a time that His Excellency Rotimi Amaechi went to the national chairman and was threatening to leave the coalition. He felt that the chairman was pandering to Peter Obi, that he was conceding everything to Peter Obi.”

Abdullahi, however, dismissed claims that Obi had been marginalised within the coalition, insisting that the former governor of Anambra State had been given significant influence within the party structure.

The ADC spokesman said one of his deputies was nominated by Obi, while the position of national organising secretary was also ceded to Obi’s camp.

According to him, the arrangement was part of efforts to integrate Obi into the coalition.

Abdullahi said the decision cost former aviation minister, Osita Chidoka the opportunity to emerge as national organising secretary.

“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.

“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,” he said.

Abdullahi added that Obi was also allowed to nominate other individuals into party structures as part of broader political concessions aimed at strengthening the coalition.

“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.

He said Obi had no reason to complain about marginalisation or a toxic political environment within the coalition.

“If anybody should be complaining of 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 said.