Obidients Yet To Join ADC Are ‘DisObidients’, Says Okonkwo

A lawyer and chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Kenneth Okonkwo, has described “Obidients,” supporters of former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, who are yet to join the party as “disObidients.”

Okonkwo made the remark on Friday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Morning Brief programme, where he urged Obi’s supporters to register with the ADC ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He said it was a strategic mistake for Obi, while in the Labour Party, to allow his supporters to spread across different political parties, noting that the former governor had since changed that approach.

“When I was in the Labour Party, I said it was a tactical mistake telling your followers they could join all political parties, and I’m very glad that my brother, Peter Obi, has changed that tactic,” Okonkwo said.

“If you listen to his interview on X Space, he said all the Obidients should go and register as members of the ADC. So if you are an Obidient and you’re not in the ADC, sorry, you’re not an Obidient; you are a disObidient,” he added.

Recall that on December 31, 2025, Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, officially joined the coalition-backed ADC.

Announcing his defection in Enugu, Obi said his decision to leave the Labour Party was aimed at rescuing and transforming Nigeria ahead of the 2027 elections.

“We are ending this year with the hope that in 2026 we will begin a rescue journey. We will resist rigging of elections by every lawful means in 2027,” Obi said.

He also called on opposition leaders to unite under the leadership of former Senate President David Mark to rescue the country.

Speaking further, Okonkwo praised the ADC, describing it as the “vehicle of good people,” and claimed the party enjoys strong backing in the South-East.

“Anybody you see in the ADC is allowed to join on one condition: you must be a true democrat. One thing the ADC will not compromise on is internal democracy and adherence to democratic principles,” he said.

He added that no opposition leader was allowed to impose conditions before joining the party, stressing that discipline and a solid foundation were key reasons why some politicians took time before defecting.

“The South-East has gone ADC, as I said they would. Any other politician who is not in the ADC and chooses another party is working for Tinubu,” Okonkwo stated.

While welcoming Obi’s defection, Okonkwo said he was ready to work with whoever emerges as the party’s presidential candidate in 2027.

However, the ADC chieftain, who is also a member of the party’s National Working Committee, noted that a decision on zoning the presidential ticket had not yet been taken.

“He is an ADC member, and we work with every ADC member. Rest assured, whoever emerges as the presidential candidate of the ADC, I will work for the person. I don’t have any personal rift with anyone,” he said.