The Abuja Coordinator of the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement, Jabir Ibrahim Yaro, has explained why former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, and former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, left the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Yaro, in an interview, linked their exit to internal crises in the ADC, alleged external interference and strategic political calculations ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Yaro said opposition parties in Nigeria were facing serious challenges under the current administration.

He said, “First of all, as you know, in Nigeria, opposition parties are actually in trouble or in danger because of the current administration, because there is no single opposition party, as it is now, that is clean and without any internal crisis.”

He alleged that powerful forces were behind the crises rocking opposition parties, including the ADC.

“And we all know the people behind all the crises in the opposition parties, including the ADC,” he said.

Yaro also cited the recent Supreme Court ruling on the ADC leadership dispute as one of the reasons Obi and Kwankwaso left the party.

He described the decision to refer the case back to the Federal High Court as risky.

He said, “Secondly, if you look at the recent judgment of the Supreme Court, you should know that it is a trap. This is my personal opinion. I’m not a barrister, but it is a trap because the Supreme Court referred the case back to the Federal High Court.”

Yaro expressed distrust in the lower court process and alleged interference in the judiciary.

He claimed, “Actually, a minister is allegedly controlling the High Court.”

He further alleged that judges had received benefits from the authorities.

Yaro stated, “Recently, they built houses for them in the FCT, they gave them land, you know, they bought cars for them and the rest.

“So there is no way you should be expecting something positive to come out of the Federal High Court when people like them are in charge.”

‘ADC Promises Not Kept’
Yaro said internal issues within the ADC also contributed to the decision to leave.

According to him, the coalition had initially promised transparent processes, including direct primaries or consensus.

He said, “Then, secondly, there are internal crises in the ADC. From the very first day of this coalition, they made it very clear that everything would be transparent.

“They said there would be direct primaries, that there would be transparent primaries or consensus.”

He, however, alleged that the promises were not kept.

“But as we are going, we have learned that there is an individual who is trying to hijack the party and stop everyone from expressing their own interests,” he said.

Yaro insisted that Obi and his supporters were focused on contesting the presidency and would not settle for a vice-presidential slot.

He said, “We are not ready to settle for any vice-presidential position. We are going to contest for the presidency.”

Asked whether the position was selfish, he replied, “It is not selfish.”

He said Obi had strong grassroots support and had inspired many Nigerians to participate in politics.

“You know that in 2023, many people died because of Peter Obi. They died because of his ambition.

“Many people are in politics because of him,” he claimed.

‘South Should Complete Tenure’
Yaro also argued that power should remain in the South in line with regional balance.

He said, “It is the turn of Southern Nigeria. Let them complete their tenure.”

He criticised an unnamed aspirant within the coalition, accusing him of repeatedly insisting on securing the presidential ticket.

“Every election cycle, the same man who is trying to get the ADC ticket is the one insisting that he must get that ticket.

“If so, he cannot win an election. Why must it always be him? Why can’t he support these people?” he said.

The OK Movement coordinator also downplayed the vice-presidential position in Nigeria’s political system, describing it as largely ceremonial.

He said, “We all know the VP is just a ceremonial position in this country.

“Look at what is happening now. It is just ceremonial.

“And up till now, since Tinubu became president, they have never handed over this country to the vice president.”