Daniel Bwala, a special adviser to President Bola Tinubu, has launched a sharp critique of Peter Obi’s political future, asserting that the former Anambra governor will fail to secure either the presidential or vice-presidential ticket of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the 2027 election.
Speaking on a podcast, Bwala portrayed Obi as a political figure with dwindling influence, claiming he has lost control of the political structure he built during the 2023 campaign and that his rise was based on fleeting opportunity rather than enduring grassroots strength.
Bwala pointed to Obi’s frequent changes in political parties—from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), back to PDP, and then to the Labour Party (LP)—as evidence of political inconsistency.
He predicted that Obi will ultimately contest the next election on yet another platform, separate from both the LP and ADC, and will not garner even a quarter of the votes he received in 2023.
This assessment, however, faces a starkly different reality presented by Obi’s supporters.
The “Obidient Movement” has forcefully pushed back against any suggestion that their principal would accept a secondary role, issuing statements that their support is “exclusively for his emergence as President of Nigeria” and not for a vice-presidential candidacy under anyone.
While they are currently backing his bid for the ADC’s presidential nomination, they have warned that their continued support is contingent on a transparent and fair primary process, reserving the right to make a “united, lawful, and democratic decision” if the process is compromised.
This declaration directly counters Bwala’s claims that Obi has been relegated to fighting for a VP slot and highlights the movement’s unwavering commitment to his presidential aspirations.
The situation is further complicated by friction within Obi’s former party, where an LP faction previously faulted him for endorsing ADC candidates in a by-election, signaling a potential fracturing of his old political base.
