A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, Kenneth Okonkwo, has said members of the Obidient Movement who failed to move to the party in solidarity with former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, should no longer be regarded as true Obidients.
Okonkwo made the assertion on Friday during an interview on Channels Television, where he linked loyalty to the movement with membership of the ADC following Obi’s defection.
“If you listen to his interview on X Space, he said all the Obidients should go and register as members of the ADC. So if you are an Obidient and you’re not in the ADC, sorry, you’re not an Obidient, you are a disobedient,” he said.
He argued that the earlier strategy of allowing supporters to spread across multiple political parties weakened the movement, adding that Obi’s new stance reflected a more focused political direction.
“When I was in the Labour Party, I said it was a tactical mistake telling your followers they can join all political parties, and I’m very glad that my brother, Peter Obi, has changed that tactic,” Okonkwo added.
Obi had on Tuesday formally joined the ADC, a coalition-backed platform, declaring his readiness to work with like-minded Nigerians to challenge electoral malpractice ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Welcoming Obi to the party, Okonkwo said the ADC remained committed to internal democracy and discipline, stressing that he would support whoever emerges as the party’s presidential candidate.
“Anybody you see in the ADC is allowed to join on one condition: you must be a true democrat. ADC will not compromise on internal democracy and adherence to democratic principles. No leader or opposition figure was allowed to give conditions before joining because we want discipline and a solid foundation,” he said.
He further claimed that the South-East had largely aligned with the ADC, warning that politicians outside the party were indirectly working for the ruling All Progressives Congress.
“Now, the South-East has gone ADC, as I said they would. Any other politician who is not in the ADC and wants to work for another party is working for Tinubu,” he added. “Peter Obi is an ADC member. We work with every ADC member. Rest assured, whoever emerges as the ADC presidential candidate, I will work for that person. I don’t have any personal rift with anyone.”