ADC Constitution Bars Peter Obi, Backs Atiku, Amaechi Ahead of 2027 Race

The constitution of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has ruled out former Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, from contesting under its platform in the 2027 general elections.

Obi, who has backed the ADC and is widely speculated to be eyeing another run for the presidency, remains a registered member of the Labour Party.

However, according to Article 8 of the ADC Constitution and the third schedule guiding the conduct of party primaries, aspirants must not be affiliated with any other political party, and where such affiliation previously existed, a formal resignation must be submitted before eligibility can be considered.

The party’s constitution clearly states that an aspirant “must not belong to any other political party,” and if previously affiliated, must have resigned from such membership.

This provision has placed a clear barrier in Obi’s path, as he has not publicly renounced his membership in the Labour Party.

His media aide, Tanko Yunusa, confirmed this recently. “Well, that will be made public if he decides to do that. At the moment, he is still a member of the Labour Party,” he said.

However, the ADC’s doors appear more open to two other contenders, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi. Both men have taken steps to fully align with the ADC’s requirements.

Atiku Abubakar, who contested the 2023 election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), formally resigned from the party in a letter dated 14 July 2025, addressed to his Ward Chairman in Jada, Adamawa State. In the letter, Atiku cited irreconcilable differences with the party’s leadership and expressed disappointment in what he described as “the gradual erosion of internal democracy and the abandonment of foundational principles.”

Similarly, Rotimi Amaechi, a former governor of Rivers State and founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), resigned from the APC on 1 July 2025. He made the announcement public the following day at an ADC-organised event in Abuja. During his resignation speech, Amaechi declared that “Nigeria is completely destroyed” and accused the APC and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of colluding to manipulate electoral processes.

The ADC, in its document, said, “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.”

The party further clarified that it reserves the right to adopt direct primaries, indirect primaries, or the consensus method, as determined by its National Executive Committee.