As Nigeria’s 2027 presidential race begins to gather steam, a simmering dilemma may be playing out within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Imo State, with former Governor of the State, Emeka Ihedioha, caught at a political crossroads between two formidable allies — Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi.
Ihedioha, a long-standing political protégé of Atiku, once served as one of his key aides during his tenure as Vice President.
Their political bond is deep-rooted, with Ihedioha widely acknowledged as one of the most loyal “students” of Atiku’s political school.
This loyalty was unmistakably on display during the 2023 presidential campaign when Ihedioha, speaking in Ghana, declared that anyone not supporting Atiku was “a saboteur” — a controversial remark he later retracted but one that still echoes.
With his Rebuild Imo political movement now nested in the ADC, internal tensions are mounting within the party over who should fly the party’s presidential flag in 2027.
While Atiku may remain a natural choice for Ihedioha based on historical loyalty and shared political battles, Obi’s soaring appeal — particularly in the South East — presents a compelling alternative, especially for Ihedioha’s own 2027 governorship ambitions in Imo.
A source within the Rebuild Imo group who spoke to INNONEWS on condition of anonymity said, “Some of us believe Atiku has paid his dues and deserves our continued support. Others are of the opinion that with Obi, we can finally deliver both the presidency and win the governorship in Imo State.”
The discordant tunes in the Rebuild Imo group is evident. At a recent strategy meeting of the group leaders in Owerri, former Secretary to the Imo State Government, Uche Onyeagocha, delivered what appeared to be a tacit endorsement of Obi.
Addressing the gathering, he said, “Go back to your communities and spread the gospel of ADC. Tell them Peter Obi is coming and we must support him all the way.”
When asked what the group’s fallback plan would be if Obi doesn’t clinch the ADC ticket, Onyeagocha dismissed such concerns. “There’s no plan B. We’ve resolved that Peter Obi will fly the flag. It’s been agreed, and that’s final,” he reportedly said at the meeting.
This public declaration, however, has sparked fresh concerns among Atiku loyalists within the ADC fold in Imo who see it as a betrayal of long-standing alliances. “It’s disappointing. You don’t abandon a political father like Atiku just because another candidate is trending.”a party insider told this newspaper.
But for Ihedioha, the calculation might be less about emotion and more about electoral pragmatism. Political observers believe that aligning with Peter Obi, whose popularity in the South East is unchallenged, could significantly bolster his own prospects in Imo’s governorship race in 2027.
“It’s a tough spot for Ihedioha. On one hand, he owes Atiku for everything he’s become politically. On the other hand, the only way he wins Imo is to ride on Obi’s coattails. This isn’t just politics. It’s survival,” said Eke Anyanwu, a political analyst based in Owerri.
While the former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives has yet to make a definitive statement, insiders believe his silence is strategic — a careful attempt to avoid alienating either camp until the party’s presidential ticket becomes clearer.
However, time is ticking. As the ADC positions itself as a credible third force in 2027 in Imo State, many contend that it must resolve this internal discourse or risk tearing itself apart. And at the heart of this storm is Emeka Ihedioha, torn between loyalty, legacy, and political leverage.
