Public affairs analyst Jide Ojo has said that Peter Obi played a key role in strengthening the African Democratic Congress (ADC) before eventually leaving the party for the National Democratic Coalition.

Speaking in an interview on Silverbird TV, Ojo stated that Obi’s influence within the ADC was evident in the number of prominent politicians who joined the party alongside him. According to him, Obi’s entry significantly boosted the party’s profile and structure, as several lawmakers reportedly defected with him.

Ojo claimed that about seven senators and multiple members of the House of Representatives moved to the ADC alongside Obi, helping to increase the party’s visibility and political weight.

He compared Obi’s impact with that of other major political figures, including Atiku Abubakar and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, arguing that neither attracted a similar number of top elected officials into the party.

According to Ojo, Atiku was even unable to bring his home state governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, into the ADC, which he suggested reflected a difference in political influence.

He noted that Obi’s arrival gave the ADC stronger momentum and attracted more elite political figures at the time.

However, Ojo also raised concerns about the party’s future following Obi’s departure, questioning whether the ADC can maintain its growing relevance without one of its most influential figures.

With political realignments already taking shape ahead of the 2027 general elections, Ojo said the party now faces uncertainty over whether it can sustain its momentum or gradually lose ground in Nigeria’s changing political landscape.

In his words, “Peter Obi brought the most serving elected public officials into the ADC. He brought at least about seven senators and several members of the House of Representatives who defected with him. How many people defected with Atiku? Atiku could not even bring his own governor, Fintiri, to join the ADC.”

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