Professor of Political Science, Jideofor Adibe, has urged Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to approach the African Democratic Congress opposition coalition with caution, especially amid growing realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking during an appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Tuesday, Adibe pointed to recent political maneuvers, particularly the decision by the Peoples Democratic Party to zone its 2027 presidential ticket to the South, as a reason for Obi to be vigilant.
“I wouldn’t want to advise Peter Obi; he has his own advisors. At the end, he has to make his own decisions, but if I were him, I would be extremely suspicious,” Adibe stated.
The political analyst noted that both the PDP and the ruling All Progressives Congress have zoned their presidential tickets to the southern region, while the ADC has yet to take a definitive stand. He also highlighted the interest of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar—a northerner and coalition member—in contesting the presidency again in 2027.
Atiku’s ambition is seen by some as a challenge to southern aspirants within the coalition, including Obi and former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, both of whom are believed to be eyeing the presidency.
Adibe described Obi as a calculated political actor who tends to think beyond the surface and anticipates multiple outcomes before making decisions.
“It’s up to him to know what his own political strategists are telling him and what these moves are, but I believe that once any announcement is made, they create scenarios,” he said. “However, I believe that in the next couple of months, it will become clearer what informed the PDP’s decision to say that they are zoning this issue.”
He likened the current political climate to a strategic game, emphasizing that Obi’s chances hinge on critical planning and situational awareness.
“In the end, like any chess game, it may work and it may not, but we don’t know, and in all this, it is a tug of war,” Adibe aded.
