That is the big question many are asking right now? Presently, the opposition party, the ADC and its leaders seem not to have a clear direction of where they are heading. And this has created a big loophole. There are people who believe that the Opposition has now become toothless, and that the coalition formed to pose a threat to the All Progressive Congress in the forthcoming presidential election is nothing but a charade.
In the last few months, the opposition that formed the ADC has been focused on who will fly the flag of the party in the presidential election. The likes of Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi are being touted as possible candidates, but who should step down for whom has become a major problem within the party. Atiku’s camp feels they are too prominent to become a running mate to Peter Obi, while Peter Obi, who was formerly Atiku’s running mate, has also vowed to run and not as a running mate to anyone. Who will now leave the party to actualize his dream? Based on recent political developments in Nigeria as of early 2026, here are the key reasons and circumstances under which Peter Obi might return to the Labour Party (LP) for the 2027 election, despite his recent alignment with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for coalition purposes:
The majority of Obidients, especially the leaders among them, have told Peter Obi to seek alternatives, as top members of the ADC are insisting on primaries in order to produce the party’s presidential candidate. This decision is welcomed and satisfactory for the camp of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, whom many say has mastered the art of winning primary elections. Reports indicate that if Peter Obi is not chosen as the presidential candidate of the new coalition within the ADC, he might return to the Labour Party, which is still considered his strongest base. In fact, he still has his structure intact in the Labour Party, and the court has also exonerated them and made them the authentic faction of the party. Despite the crisis within the party, the LP is the platform where Obi gained massive popularity in 2023, and some supporters believe it is still the best vehicle for his 2027 bid. A lot of people are saying that for Peter Obi to be accepted and win the next election, he needs to move back to the Labour Party, where he can advocate for transforming Nigeria from a consumption-oriented economy to a production-oriented one. This aligns with the labor-focused, welfare-centric, and social-democratic ideals often associated with the Labour Party. The “Third Force” Movement: Obi needed a platform outside the two dominant parties to represent a “total departure from the old order.” The Labour Party provided a relatively unentrenched platform that he turned into a mainstream movement (the “Obidient” movement).
Symbolism of Reform: As a candidate focused on cutting the cost of governance, prudent management of resources, and anticorruption, Obi fits the image of a reformer challenging the political establishment, which is the cornerstone of the LP’s appeal to young people and marginalized groups. Grassroots and Popular Support: Unlike traditional Nigerian politics, which rely on established structures, Obi’s appeal is organic and popular. This fits within a party that relies more on grassroots support and less on entrenched “godfatherism.” A “Special Purpose Vehicle” (SPV): Supporters and observers viewed the Labour Party as the ideal SPV to launch his 2023 campaign, as it lacked the internal constraints of the larger parties, allowing him to run on his personal reputation for competence. Many of his supporters, particularly among the youth, still see the Labour Party as synonymous with his movement, and his return could be necessary to mobilize this base. As of early 2026, Obi was in a coalition that included the ADC, but his return to the Labour Party was considered a possibility if the coalition talks did not align with his presidential ambitions.
Other reasons why a lot of Peter Obi followers are not comfortable in ADC and have been demanding they leave the party and return back to LP are:
Fear of Marginalization and Betrayal: There are strong concerns that the ADC, often described as a “Rescue Nigeria Coalition” or “coalition of convenience,” is not providing the Obidient movement with adequate representation, with reports of supporters being excluded from crucial decision-making meetings.
The “Atiku Trap” Concerns: Some supporters believe the ADC coalition is a project designed to favor former Vice President Atiku Abubakar rather than Peter Obi, leading to fears that Obi might be coerced into becoming a vice-presidential candidate, which the movement has vowed to reject.
Ideological Clash with “Old Politics”: Many Obidients see the ADC as a new home for political players they sought to displace in 2023, raising concerns that the party acts as a “second chance” for old political actors rather than a platform for reform.
Demands for Instant Results vs. Party Rules: The ADC leadership has warned that it is a serious political party with rules, demanding that anyone seeking the ticket must be a full member, not “parachuting” from the Labour Party, which creates tension with the “Obi or Nothing” approach.
Concerns over Internal Structure: The ADC Youth Vanguard and other stakeholders have raised alarms about a potential loss of trust if Obi relies on the party’s structure, which they view as potentially “destined to fail” in challenging the ruling party.
Isaac Abimbade
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