Utomi backs Obi’s move to NDC, says ADC primary crisis vindicates decision

Scholar, political activist, and former presidential candidate, Pat Utomi, has defended Peter Obi’s decision to leave the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), describing the move as a strategic and timely political decision that saved him from potential complications within the coalition party.

Utomi made the remarks while speaking on Arise News, where he reflected on the controversies that followed the ADC presidential primaries and argued that Obi would have found himself embroiled in the crisis had he remained in the party.

According to Utomi, developments within the ADC after its presidential primary election demonstrated why Obi’s decision to seek an alternative political platform was prudent.

“Even though we had polling that suggested he would defeat the other candidates within ADC, the question was whether the main players would allow a proper process,” Utomi said.

He expressed concerns about the credibility of internal party elections across the political spectrum, alleging that many primary contests have become mere formalities rather than genuine democratic exercises.

“Let’s be very frank, the way the process has been managed generally across the board makes all the primary processes a complete farce. More or less, people are imposed and then made to go through these processes as if they are participating in a democratic exercise,” he stated.

READ ALSO: Pat Utomi adamant on forming Shadow Government

The political economist noted that Obi’s departure from the ADC effectively shielded him from the disputes and dissatisfaction that later emerged among some of the party’s leading presidential aspirants.

Obi recently emerged as the presidential candidate of the NDC and was formally presented with the party’s flag during a ceremony held over the weekend. Following his emergence, he announced former Kano State governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, as his running mate for the forthcoming presidential election.

The ADC primary election had attracted significant attention after several prominent politicians joined the coalition platform ahead of the 2027 general elections. Among them was former Rivers State governor and former Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, who declared his intention to contest for the presidency on the party’s platform.

However, Amaechi lost the party’s ticket to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who eventually emerged as the ADC presidential candidate.

Following the outcome, Amaechi rejected the results of the primary election, alleging widespread irregularities and electoral malpractice. He vowed to challenge the exercise, arguing that the process did not reflect the will of party members.

His criticism added to broader concerns raised by other aspirants, including businessman Mohammed Hayatu-deen, regarding the conduct of the primary election and the transparency of the process.

Although Amaechi initially threatened legal action, he has remained largely silent on the matter in recent weeks, particularly after a private visit by Atiku to his residence in Abuja.

Utomi’s comments are expected to fuel further debate over the credibility of party primaries and internal democracy ahead of Nigeria’s next general election, as political parties continue to position themselves for what is expected to be a fiercely contested presidential race.