The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has clarified why Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, have yet to be officially inducted as members of the party, despite mounting speculation about their defection.
Speaking during a media briefing in Abuja on Sunday, the ADC’s Interim National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said both political figures were deliberately given time to finalise outstanding commitments in their former political camps.
According to Abdullahi, the delay is not due to uncertainty or hesitation on the part of the ADC, but rather a matter of respect for ongoing electoral processes and internal transitions in the leaders’ former parties.
“They were given the space to conclude pending processes, such as by-elections and the selection of governorship candidates in their legacy parties,” he explained.
He added that once those processes are concluded, the duo will be formally welcomed into the ADC fold.
Abdullahi noted that both Obi and El-Rufai remain aligned with the ADC’s vision and are already engaging with the coalition at various levels, even though formal declarations are still pending.
Bellnews reports that ADC’s stance comes amid Obi’s claim that he remains in the Labour Party, with a promise to run for president in 2027.