Opportunistic, inconsistent – Presidency blasts Obi over ADC exit threat

The Presidency has fired back at former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, describing him as “the peripatetic, opportunistic and inconsistent politician ever to operate in Nigeria.”

The sharp criticism was delivered by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, in a post on X, following comments by Obi suggesting he could exit the African Democratic Congress (ADC) if the party’s internal processes are compromised.

Obi, a prominent opposition figure and a presidential hopeful on the ADC platform, made the remarks during an appearance on Arise Television’s Prime Time, where he also addressed longstanding criticisms about his movement across political parties.

Defending his political trajectory, the former Anambra State governor maintained that his decisions have consistently been guided by principle rather than personal convenience. He argued that his exits from previous parties were rooted in his refusal to remain within systems he considered flawed or unethical.

Responding to critics who accuse him of leaving parties instead of working to resolve internal crises, Obi explained the circumstances surrounding his past decisions.

“I moved from APGA to the PDP because I had issues with my successor, the governor, who came after me. I will not allow it to become toxic and become destructive to his governance of the state. I moved out,” he said.

He further stated that his departure from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was prompted by concerns over irregularities in its internal processes.

“In PDP, I said it before, people were not playing by the rules, it was transactional, I cannot be part of transactional primary, I cannot be paying people to serve them, so I moved to Labour,” Obi stated.

Obi also alleged that the crisis within the Labour Party, which ultimately led to his exit, was influenced by actions of the ruling party and the Federal Government. He pointed to delays in the recognition of a Supreme Court judgment as evidence of systemic issues.

“In Labour Party, Supreme Court decided against it in April, INEC did not recognise it until 7th of January, eight months after,” he said, suggesting that the delay created uncertainty within the party.

He went further to claim that there were deliberate attempts to entrap him in a dysfunctional system.

“They thought I would be there for the fire to burn me. When I now escape they will now say Peter Obi cannot stay to put out the fire which they put and then I left,” he added.

Speaking on his current position within the ADC, Obi reiterated his commitment to the party but made it clear that he would not hesitate to take action if similar issues emerge.

“I am in ADC with the same people, some of whom I left in PDP and other parties but we are going through the same process, if that process is again compromised, I will speak out,” he said.

He emphasized that integrity in political processes remains non-negotiable for him, regardless of the consequences.

“If I have to move twenty times, I will do it. You cannot use the process of yesterday to build tomorrow.

Obi also maintained that he has never been involved in electoral malpractice or influenced judicial outcomes in his favour.

“I’ve never been involved in any form of rigging. I’ve never been part of paying people in judiciary or anywhere to give me judgment I do not deserve,” he said.

However, the Presidency dismissed Obi’s defence, maintaining a critical stance on his political record. Reacting via X, Onanuga reiterated his position, portraying Obi as lacking consistency.

“Peter Obi, the peripatetic, opportunistic and inconsistent politician ever to operate in Nigeria, hints that he may leave the ADC, the way he left APGA, PDP and Labour. Listen to him,” Onanuga wrote.

The exchange comes amid heightened scrutiny of Obi’s political movements, with the Presidency using the moment to reinforce its narrative of stability and continuity under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.