The Abuja coordinator of the Obi-Kwankwaso (OK) Movement, Mallam Jabir Ibrahim Yaro, has outlined reasons behind the departure of Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso from the African Democratic Congress, citing internal disputes, alleged external influence, and strategic political calculations.
Speaking during an interview, Yaro stated that opposition parties in Nigeria are currently grappling with serious challenges.
“First of all, as you know, in Nigeria, opposition parties are actually in trouble or in danger because of the current administration, because there is no single opposition party, as it is now, that is clean and without any internal crisis.”
He further alleged that influential actors are responsible for the instability.
“And we all know the people behind all the crises in the opposition parties, including the ADC.”
Yaro also connected Obi’s exit to recent legal developments, particularly a ruling by the Supreme Court of Nigeria, which he described as risky.
“Secondly, if you look at the recent judgment of the Supreme Court, you should know that it is a trap. This is my personal opinion. I’m not a barrister, but it is a trap because the Supreme Court referred the case back to the Federal High Court.”
He expressed distrust in the lower court system, making a strong allegation:
“And you know who is in charge of the High Court. You know what has been happening in our judiciary in this country.”
Responding to questions on who he believes controls the lower courts, Yaro said: “Actually, a minister is allegedly controlling the High Court.”
Yaro cited alleged incentives given to judges as part of his claims.
“Recently, they built houses for them in the FCT, they gave them land, you know, they bought cars for them and the rest.”
“So there is no way you should be expecting something positive to come out of the Federal High Court when people like them are in charge.”
According to him, internal challenges within the ADC also contributed significantly.
“Then, secondly, there are internal crises in the ADC. From the very first day of this coalition, they made it very clear that everything would be transparent,” he said.
“They said there would be direct primaries, that there would be transparent primaries or consensus,” he said.
He, however, claimed that those commitments were not upheld.
“But as we are going, we have learned that there is an individual who is trying to hijack the party and stop everyone from expressing their own interests.”
Yaro maintained that Obi and his supporters are focused on contesting for the presidency rather than settling for a vice-presidential slot.
“We are not ready to settle for any vice-presidential position. We are going to contest for the presidency.”
He rejected suggestions that such a stance is self-serving.
“It is not selfish.”
He added that Obi’s movement enjoys strong grassroots support.
He said, “You know that in 2023, many people died because of Peter Obi. They died because of his ambition.
“Many people are in politics because of him,” he claimed.
Yaro also addressed issues of regional balance and tensions within the coalition.
“It is the turn of Southern Nigeria. Let them complete their tenure,” he argued further.
He criticised another unnamed aspirant within the coalition:
“Every election cycle, the same man who is trying to get the ADC ticket is the one insisting that he must get that ticket.
“If so, he cannot win an election. Why must it always be him? Why can’t he support these people?”
On the role of vice president, Yaro downplayed its significance within Nigeria’s political system.
“We all know the VP is just a ceremonial position in this country.
“Look at what is happening now. It is just ceremonial.
“And up till now, since Tinubu became president, they have never handed over this country to the vice president.”
Recall that Peter Obi had on Sunday announced his resignation from the ADC over internal party issues and subsequently joined the Nigerian Democratic Congress.
Shortly after Obi’s announcement, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso also exited the ADC and aligned with the same platform.
There are indications that both Obi and Kwankwaso may contest under a joint ticket in the 2027 general elections.
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