The South East Coalition for Good Governance (SECG) has advised former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, to reconsider his presidential ambition under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), insisting that he stands no realistic chance of clinching the party’s presidential ticket.
In a statement released in Enugu and signed by Chidi Offiah, Publicity Secretary of the coalition, the group argued that the ADC is already under the firm grip of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who remains the undisputed frontrunner for its presidential ticket.
“Obi will stand no chance in winning the presidential ticket of the ADC. The recent recanting by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, that he will not step down for anyone in the race for the ADC presidential ticket, is a clear indication that Obi’s ambition in the ADC is dead on arrival,” part of the statement read.
The group stressed that Obi should not ignore the fact that Atiku was the brain behind the ADC project, having led the move for aggrieved politicians in the APC and PDP, mainly his allies, into the party.
“Obi should know that the ADC coalition was all about Atiku. Atiku led the move for the coalition and midwifed it collapsing into the ADC. Ninety percent of ADC structure belongs to Atiku, and how then does Obi think he can get the presidential ticket when the ADC is Atiku’s project to further his age-long ambition to be president?” the statement queried.
SECG further noted that majority of ADC stakeholders across the South East are staunch Atiku loyalists.
“Even majority of the ADC chieftains from the South East are Atiku’s loyalists. So, if a presidential primary is conducted in ADC, how does Obi think he can win? Atiku is a master political strategist, and this is why he has never lost a presidential ticket in any political party, because of the enormous resources and influence he deploys to outmaneuver his co-contenders. Obi should ask Nyesom Wike,” the group added.
The SECG accused proponents of the ADC of attempting to use Obi to strengthen their base in the South and make the party more appealing to voters.
“The ADC simply wants to use Obi to beef up and grow its support base in the South, and if he concedes to a vice-presidential ticket, it is only to help Atiku win the presidency,” SECG maintained.
According to the group, Atiku’s unrelenting presidential ambition has always been backed by financial muscle and political maneuvering, a reality Obi should be wary of.
“Atiku has perfected the art of buying structures and loyalty. Obi should be careful not to be dragged into playing second fiddle in a project that has been designed from the onset to serve Atiku’s lifelong ambition,” the statement read.
It therefore urged Obi to remain in the Labour Party (LP), where he already enjoys a formidable support base and grassroots followership across the country.
“So, Obi should remain in the Labour Party and run for the presidency, rather than stay in the ADC to be a bridge for Atiku to become president,” the statement emphasized.
“Labour Party remains the platform where Obi’s message resonates most with Nigerians, particularly the youths and the working class. Moving to the ADC will only reduce him to an appendage of Atiku’s ambition,” SECG warned.
