Malam Bolaji Abdullahi accused Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso of plotting their exit from the African Democratic Congress. The party's National Publicity Secretary made the claim during a television appearance on Monday night.
According to him, both former governors engineered their departures in advance. He insisted the move wasn't spontaneous or driven by the reasons they've publicly stated.
Abdullahi described ADC as ideologically sound and structurally robust. He said it offered Nigerians genuine alternatives to established parties.
But some politicians, he noted, treated the party as a stepping stone for personal goals. They exploited its platform without genuine commitment to its vision.
"Everything that government has thrown at ADC, we have resisted," Abdullahi told reporters. "We've fought back and stayed committed to rescuing Nigerians."
He recalled Obi's own words at a coalition gathering months earlier. In his words, Obi had warned that fielding two candidates would hand victory to Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.
"So, what has changed?" Abdullahi asked pointedly. The question hung in the air.
Legal troubles didn't trigger the defection, the spokesman insisted. ADC faced only three weak court cases that couldn't justify such dramatic exits.
Obi received exceptional treatment within the party structure. He nominated the National Organising Secretary, widely seen as the party's operational engine.
"No other aspirant got this kind of leverage," Abdullahi explained. "That position controls congresses, elections and daily operations."
Some supporters claimed ADC favored particular candidates unfairly. Abdullahi rejected these accusations outright.
The party engaged Obi consistently throughout his membership period. He attended coalition meetings regularly without raising concerns about bias.
"He spent nearly a year joining us," the official noted. "Never once did he mention feeling sidelined or disadvantaged."
Using marriage as an analogy, Abdullahi made his position clear. "When someone wants out, they manufacture reasons—even claiming too much love suffocates them."
Politicians retain freedom to choose their parties, he acknowledged. But departing members shouldn't offer transparent excuses for their moves.
Evidence suggested Obi's exit had been in motion for months. A gathering in Kano two months ago triggered Abdullahi's suspicions.
Obi, Kwankwaso and former Bayelsa Governor Seriake Dickson met there together. Immediately after, dynamics within the opposition shifted mysteriously.
Abdullahi reached out to Dickson for clarification about what transpired. Kwankwaso had seemingly reconsidered joining ADC right after that meeting.
"It raised questions about dividing the opposition," he said. "Were they helping the ruling party by fragmenting the alternative?"
Dickson indicated the National Democratic Congress remained open to interested politicians. That suggestion confirmed larger strategic movements were underway.
"Their defection was pre-planned," Abdullahi concluded firmly. "Kwankwaso's entire ADC involvement might have been a trojan horse strategy from day one."
