Hon. Kasimu Maigari, a member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) National Legislators’ Forum, has stated that former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi’s departure from the ADC has significantly delayed the South East’s push for the presidency.
According to Maigari, Obi’s political movement has done more harm than good for the long-standing Igbo presidency quest, pushing it “20 years backwards.”
In an interview with ARISE News, Maigari expressed his concerns about the direction of Obi’s political trajectory. He argued that rather than advancing the cause for an Igbo president, Obi’s actions have created a major setback for the region’s aspirations. “My worry is not if Peter Obi will win the presidency; my worry is that Peter Obi has pushed Igbo’s 20 years backwards from getting the Presidency,” he said.
Maigari further criticized the motivations behind Obi’s supporters, stating that many are more focused on personal political ambitions than on advancing a genuine ideological cause. “Peter Obi will not win the 2027 election; it is very obvious,” Maigari asserted, adding that those supporting Obi and former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso are doing so with the hope of leveraging their influence for personal gain.
He also claimed that a significant portion of Obi’s supporters is primarily interested in securing elective positions such as state assembly seats, governorship tickets, or House of Representatives seats.
According to Maigari, these individuals are using Obi’s popularity as a platform to further their own political ambitions. “99 percent of those running around Peter Obi have the ambition of running either state assembly, House of Rep, or governor, and the only easiest way for them to win an election is when Peter Obi or Rabiu Kwankwaso is on the ballot,” he said.
Despite these criticisms, Maigari maintained that the ADC remains united and strategically positioned for the upcoming 2027 general elections. He suggested that Obi’s influence in certain regions could inadvertently benefit the ADC. “ADC remains intact. Peter Obi is going to serve as our agent in the places Tinubu thought he was going to make it, and this is our advantage as ADC,” he stated.
Maigari concluded by reaffirming the ADC’s readiness for future political engagements, asserting that the party is focused on making a strong impact in the 2027 elections.
