The South East Coalition for Good Governance (SECG) has warned the African Democratic Congress (ADC) that its relevance beyond the 2027 general election depends largely on handing its presidential ticket to Peter Obi.
In a statement in Enugu signed by its Publicity Secretary, Chidi Offiah, the group said current political calculations across the country show that Obi remains the only opposition figure President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) genuinely fear.
According to the coalition, Obi’s strength lies in what it described as “organic, people-driven support,” stressing that his popularity cuts across age, class and regional lines without heavy dependence on political inducement.
SECG argued that unlike other contenders, Obi commands a youthful and urban voting bloc that is increasingly shaping Nigeria’s electoral outcomes, especially in tight presidential races.
The group further declared that a united opposition front with Obi as standard bearer would pose a serious threat to Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
It added that such a coalition can only work effectively if former Vice President Atiku Abubakar agrees to subsume his personal ambition and rally behind Obi.
According to Offiah, should Atiku step aside and throw his political weight behind Obi on the ADC platform, it would mark the beginning of the end for the APC’s grip on power.
However, the group maintained that if Atiku insists on contesting again, the ruling party would face little difficulty securing victory in the next presidential election.
SECG described Atiku as a “serial presidential aspirant,” noting that repeated attempts at the presidency have failed to translate into electoral victory.
The coalition stated that after seven unsuccessful bids, it is time for the former vice president to take a bow from active presidential contests.
It further argued that Atiku’s legacy at this stage should be focused on helping to nurture a winning opposition rather than pursuing what it called “another doomed personal ambition.”
SECG concluded that the surest pathway for the ADC to attain national power, according to its assessment, is to present Peter Obi as its presidential candidate with the full backing of Atiku and other opposition leaders ahead of 2027.
