A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Kenneth Okonkwo, has alleged that the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, avoids participating in free and fair primary elections.

Okonkwo made the claim during an interview on ARISE News on Wednesday, stating that Obi’s political decisions are often influenced by his reluctance to engage in open and competitive contests.

SEE ALSO: BREAKING: Peter Obi Dumps ADC Ahead of 2027 Election

According to him, Obi’s departure from the ADC was not due to ideological differences or internal party challenges, but rather a deliberate move to sidestep primary elections.

“Peter Obi is afraid of free and fair primary elections. He gave reasons of challenges, but his main reason is that he does not want to face the primary election,” he said.

The ADC chieftain further alleged that Obi has historically depended on political negotiations and arrangements instead of contesting in primaries.

Citing Obi’s emergence as governor of Anambra State under the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Okonkwo claimed that the former governor initially lost the party’s primary election before the outcome was later overturned.

“He has never been in one, and he will not be in one until he finishes his political career,” Okonkwo added.

The remarks come amid shifting political alignments and growing speculations ahead of the 2027 general elections, with major political figures exploring new platforms and alliances.

The Presidency has taken a swipe at Peter Obi following his recent exit from the African Democratic Congress (ADC), intensifying political tensions ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Reacting to the development, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, criticised Obi’s decision to leave the party, suggesting the former Anambra State governor lacks the capacity to compete within the ADC.

SEE MORE: BREAKING: Peter Obi Dumps ADC Ahead of 2027 Election

Onanuga, who spoke via his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Sunday, dismissed Obi’s reasons for quitting the party as weak and self-serving, insisting that the former Labour Party presidential candidate was avoiding internal contest.

“We told you so. The political nomad is on the move again. Ignore all those puerile reasons he gave… a self-serving letter to his mob,” Onanuga wrote.

He further alleged that Obi deliberately avoided facing key political heavyweights within the ADC, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi.

“Peter Obi is a politician made of jelly, an opportunistic fellow. He can’t fight Atiku or Amaechi for the ticket of ADC. He pursues the easy road, that will only lead him to doom, like in 2023,” he added.

Obi had earlier announced his resignation from the ADC, citing internal crises, endless litigations, and what he described as a toxic political climate within the party.

He maintained that his decision was not based on personal grievances against the party leadership.

“Let me state clearly: my decision to leave the ADC is not because our highly respected Chairman, Senator David Mark, treated me badly, nor because my leader and elder brother, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, or any other respected leaders did anything personally wrong to me. I will continue to respect them,” Obi said.

He, however, alleged that forces responsible for instability in the Labour Party were beginning to infiltrate the ADC, creating division and distracting from national issues.

Presidential hopeful, Peter Obi, has announced his decision to leave the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of the 2027 general elections, citing worsening internal crises, political interference, and what he described as a toxic political environment.

In a detailed statement shared on his official X handle on Sunday, Obi said the decision followed deep reflection on the state of Nigeria’s political system and his experiences within party structures.

SEE ALSO: Minimum Wage Can’t Sustain Life Anymore — Peter Obi

He said: “My decision to leave the ADC is not because our respected leaders treated me badly… I will continue to respect them.”

Obi specifically mentioned former Senate President David Mark and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, stressing that his exit was not due to personal grievances with them.

According to him, the real issue lies in persistent instability within political parties, worsened by interference, court cases, and internal divisions.

“The same forces that created crises in my previous political experience are now appearing in the ADC,” he said.

Obi lamented what he described as a harsh political climate in Nigeria, where integrity and humility are often misunderstood.

“We live in a system where humility is mistaken for weakness and integrity is questioned,” he stated.

He also expressed frustration over how sincere political efforts are often met with criticism and suspicion.

Despite his exit, Obi reaffirmed his commitment to national service, stressing that his ambition is not about political office.

“I am not desperate to be President… I am desperate to see a better Nigeria,” he said.

He added that his concern remains focused on insecurity, poverty, and improving living conditions for ordinary Nigerians.

Meanwhile, former Kano State governor Rabiu Kwankwaso said consultations are still ongoing among political stakeholders, adding that no final decision has been made regarding broader alignments.

Obi ended his statement on a hopeful note:
“A new Nigeria is POssible.”

He did not disclose his next political destination at the time of filing this report.