A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Hon. Kasimu Maigari, has claimed that the political activities and influence of former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, have negatively impacted the long-standing aspiration of the South-East to produce Nigeria’s president.
Maigari made the statement during an interview on ARISE News, while reacting to recent political alignments and movements involving Obi and former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso.
According to him, Obi’s growing political influence has not advanced the Igbo presidency project but has instead “set it back by about 20 years.”
He argued that many supporters of the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate are primarily motivated by personal political ambitions, using his popularity as a platform to secure elective positions at various levels of government.
“My worry is not if Peter Obi will win the presidency; my worry is that Peter Obi has pushed the Igbo presidency aspiration 20 years backwards,” Maigari said.
He further expressed confidence that Obi would not win the 2027 presidential election, adding that most of his supporters are strategic actors seeking electoral advantage rather than long-term political loyalty.
“99 per cent of those running around Obi and Kwankwaso have ambitions of contesting for state assemblies, House of Representatives, or governorship positions,” he added.
Maigari also maintained that the ADC remains politically stable and strategically positioned ahead of the 2027 general elections, suggesting that Obi’s influence in some regions could indirectly affect the ruling political structure led by President Bola Tinubu.
He concluded that the party is consolidating its strength nationwide as the political landscape continues to evolve.
