ABUJA
A former spokesperson for Peter Obi’s presidential campaign, Yunusa Tanko, has declared that the former Anambra State governor will contest the 2027 presidential election — with or without the coalition ticket of the African Democratic Congress
Tanko, who currently serves as the Director-General of the Obidient Movement, made this known during the second Annual Colloquium in honour of Associate Professor Abdulmumin Ajia in Abuja, on Monday.
He stated that Obi will contest the 2027 presidential election, whether or not he emerges as the candidate of the ADC coalition.
“Obi has already stated that he will contest in 2027, whether we get the coalition ticket or not.“So, we are not even contemplating whether or not he will run. But when we get to that level, the platform will be revealed,” Tanko declared.
His statement comes amid growing tension within the newly formed opposition coalition, which recently adopted the ADC as its official political vehicle for the 2027 elections.
The coalition has witnessed mounting internal disagreements, particularly over the zoning of the party’s presidential ticket. Representing Obi at the event, Tanko urged the coalition leadership to zone the 2027 presidential ticket to the South in the spirit of fairness, equity, and national cohesion.
“Why should we have a northerner again when we can easily allow the South to complete their tenure to promote unity and cohesiveness? Afterwards, our northern brothers can take up their eight years,” he said.
He warned against repeating past political mistakes that derailed national aspirations, alluding to the controversial annulment of the late Moshood Abiola’s victory in the 1993 presidential election.
Tanko described Obi as a committed and capable leader who possesses the competence to transform the nation and urged the coalition to rally behind him to avoid another political blunder.
In his remarks, the celebrant, Associate Professor Ajia, described the ADC as a credible and independent platform with the potential to reshape Nigeria’s political landscape.
“It is only a strong opposition, free from the direct and indirect influence of the ruling party, that can rescue Nigeria from what can best be described as the irony of a collapsing rich nation,” he said.
