Tinubu’s Senior Adviser responds to Obi’s camp over ADC leadership crisis

Africa, Politics

ABUJA, NIGERIA, April 6, 2026 (NPA) — The Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has issued a statement titled “My response to Peter Obi’s media people,” questioning why what he described as “incompetent politicians” are attacking the President over INEC’s delisting of ADC leadership from its portal.

Onanuga stressed that President Tinubu has no involvement in Obi’s departure from the Labour Party or the challenges he now faces in the ADC.

He argued that Obi used the Labour Party to contest the presidency in 2023 but abandoned it afterward, failing to demonstrate leadership in resolving its internal crisis. Instead, he leaned on the IPOB-linked Obidient movement, which Onanuga described as “more active online than on the ground.” He added: “You would think the man would transform the movement into a political party. But no, he didn’t. He is incapable of building an organic party of his own.”

Onanuga further claimed that Obi, aware he needed a political structure to pursue his presidential ambitions, moved to the ADC, which he alleged was “an SPV bought by Atiku Abubakar from Ralph Nwosu.” According to him, no due diligence was carried out, leading to the crisis now confronting the party.

The statement reads in part: “What is the connection of Tinubu with the ADC crisis? Absolutely none. Whatever problem they have is self-inflicted. Obi and his co-travellers need to get their acts together, clear the mess in their new party and then compete for the presidential ticket. As of now, Obi, without being made a candidate, is inconsequential for 2027. The fact that he came third in 2023 does not mean he will have the same showing in 2027, if he ever becomes a candidate of any party. 2023 is not like 2027. President Tinubu is an incumbent with many achievements to flaunt, most of which Obi has been blind to acknowledge.”

Onanuga concluded by insisting that all accusations against President Tinubu were baseless, describing them as “sheer baloney” and an unfair attempt to undermine his democratic credentials.