A former presidential aide, Bashir Ahmad, has criticised former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, over alleged plans to leave the African Democratic Congress for the National Democratic Coalition (NDC).
Speculation over Obi’s possible defection has intensified following the recent Supreme Court judgment on the ADC leadership dispute.
Although Obi and his camp have not officially confirmed the alleged move, some political observers believe the former Labour Party presidential candidate may be considering the NDC after the ruling.
In a post on his 𝕏 handle on Saturday, Ahmad said the alleged move, if true, would suggest that Obi was trying to avoid internal party competition.
He wrote, “Reports and indications suggest that Peter Obi and his blind supporters are reconsidering another political move away from their current platform, the ADC.
“The question here is whether Peter is leaving to escape standing against other aspirants within his party. It is the same path he once embraced in 2022, leading to the 2023 presidential election.”
Ahmad said party primaries remain a key test of democratic strength and leadership credibility.
He argued that any politician who avoids testing his popularity within his party raises questions about his ability to build national consensus.
He said, “If a political figure appears so afraid to test their popularity within their own party structure, it naturally leads to questions about how they intend to build the broad national consensus required to lead a country as diverse and complex as Nigeria.”
The former presidential aide added that internal party contests were fundamental to democracy.
He said a politician who struggles to compete fairly within a party may find it difficult to lead a country with diverse interests and strong political contenders.
Ahmad said, “Party primaries are a fundamental pillar of democracy. If Peter struggles to compete fairly among fellow aspirants within his party, it becomes difficult to convincingly argue that he can unify and lead an entire nation with diverse interests and strong political contenders.”
