The Presidency has cautioned former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, against what it described as unfair criticism of President Bola Tinubu in relation to the ongoing crisis within the African Democratic Congress, ADC.
This position was outlined in a statement issued on Monday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
Onanuga characterized the allegations as “baseless,” stressing that the challenges facing the ADC are self-inflicted and unrelated to the President.
“After using the Labour Party to contest the highest office in the country, Obi abandoned it in a classic case of use-and-dump, failing to demonstrate leadership in resolving the party’s crisis.
“Instead, he turned to the Obidient movement, more active online than on the ground, without transforming it into a political structure of his own,” Onanuga said.
He further stated, “Knowing he needs a party structure to pursue his presidential ambitions, Obi moved to the hijacked ADC, an SPV bought by Atiku Abubakar from Ralph Nwosu.
“No due diligence appears to have been conducted by the new owners, resulting in the current turmoil.”
Questioning the link between the President and the situation, Onanuga added, “What connection does President Tinubu have with all this? Absolutely none.
“Obi and his team must resolve their internal party issues before contesting for the 2027 presidential ticket.
“Blackmailing the President over a situation he has no hand in is sheer baloney and an unfair attempt to besmirch his democratic credentials.
“The fact that Obi came third in 2023 does not guarantee him similar results in 2027.
“President Tinubu, as the incumbent, has achievements to showcase, yet Obi has been blind to acknowledge them. Let him first become a legitimate candidate before casting aspersions,” the presidency said.
