A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Kenneth Okonkwo, has called on supporters of former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, to formally register with the party ahead of the 2027 general elections, insisting that Obi loyalists who remain outside the ADC can no longer claim to be genuine “Obidients.”
Okonkwo made the explosive claim on Friday during an appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, following Obi’s recent defection to the ADC as part of an opposition coalition.
According to him, Obi has now drawn a clear line, directing his followers to formally register with the ADC and branding any hesitation as outright disobedience.
“When I was in the Labour Party, I said it was a tactical mistake telling your followers they can join all political parties,” Okonkwo said. “I’m very glad that my brother, Peter Obi, has changed the tactic.”
Citing an interview Obi granted on X Space, Okonkwo insisted the former governor had given an unambiguous directive to his supporters.
“He said all the Obidients should go and register as members of the ADC. So if you are an Obidient and you’re not in the ADC, sorry, you’re not an Obidient, you are a disObidient,” he stated.
The lawyer, who sits on the ADC National Working Committee, praised the party’s internal discipline, describing it as a platform built strictly on democratic values.
“Anybody you see in the ADC is allowed to get into the ADC on one condition: you must be a true democrat,” he said. “One thing ADC will not compromise on is internal democracy and living on the tenets of democracy.”
Okonkwo said the party deliberately shut the door against conditional entry to ensure a strong foundation.
“No leader, no opposition leader was allowed to give conditions before entering because we want to exercise discipline,” he said.
“That is why everybody took their time to come to ADC, because we want that foundation to be solid,” Okonkwo added.
He also claimed the South-East had swung fully behind the ADC, warning that politicians in the zone who pitched their tents elsewhere were indirectly backing the ruling party.
“Now, the South East has gone ADC. Any other politician who is not in the ADC, who wants to do any other party, is working for Tinubu,” Okonkwo said.
While welcoming Obi’s defection, Okonkwo noted that the ADC was yet to decide on zoning its presidential ticket but pledged total loyalty to whoever emerges from the party’s primaries.
“He is an ADC member. We work with every ADC member. Rest assured, whoever emerges as the presidential candidate of the ADC, I will work for the person,” he said.
