The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has defended its directive asking all coalition members to resign from their current political parties and fully join the ADC.
The coalition leadership issued the directive on Thursday, although it did not specify a timeline for compliance.
Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, conveyed the decision in a statement from Abuja, explaining that it was reached during a caucus meeting attended by senior party officials and prominent political figures.
The directive, however, drew criticism from the Obidient Movement, which insisted that their leader, Peter Obi, could not be pressured to leave the Labour Party for the ADC.
Addressing the criticism in an interview with Punch, Abdullahi said the Obidients either misunderstood the party’s position or reacted based on preconceived biases.
He clarified, “Nowhere did we compel anyone to join the party. We simply stated that coalition members must leave their original parties. Peter Obi and Nasir El-Rufai were given full prerogatives, so we do not understand the source of their outburst.”
Abdullahi added that the Obidient Movement’s comments should not be interpreted as Peter Obi’s personal stance. “We do not believe their position reflects Obi’s attitude or opinion toward the coalition,” he said.
