Peter Obi Moving from ADC to NDC Was a Smart Move, Says Pat Utomi

|By Adejumo Adekunle- Scholar, activist and former presidential candidate Prof. Pat Utomi has said Peter Obi moving from ADC to NDC was a wise political decision ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Speaking on Arise News, Utomi argued that Peter Obi avoided potential political complications by leaving the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), where he has now secured the party’s presidential ticket.

According to him, events surrounding the ADC presidential primary justified Obi’s decision. He pointed to complaints from some aspirants, including former Rivers State governor Chibuike Amaechi and businessman Mohammed Hayatu-deen, who questioned the conduct and outcome of the exercise.

Utomi said polling suggested Obi could have defeated other contenders within the ADC. However, he expressed doubts about whether key political actors would have allowed a transparent process.

He criticised the management of party primaries across the political landscape, describing many of them as lacking genuine democratic competition.

Meanwhile, Obi officially received the NDC presidential flag at the weekend and announced former Kano State governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso as his running mate.

The controversy surrounding the ADC primary continues after former Vice President Atiku Abubakar emerged as the party’s presidential candidate. Amaechi, who lost the contest, rejected the result and alleged widespread irregularities.

While Amaechi initially vowed to challenge the outcome, he has remained silent following a recent visit by Atiku to his Abuja residence.

Utomi maintained that Peter Obi moving from ADC to NDC allowed him to avoid the disputes that followed the ADC primary process. He said the move positioned Obi more favourably for the 2027 election campaign.