Atiku’s ADC campaign spokesperson describes the Abuja event as an APM affair and questions the decision of Obi and other politicians to attend.

Kenneth Okonkwo, spokesperson for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has criticised Peter Obi and other opposition politicians who attended the inauguration of Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde’s presidential campaign office in Abuja.

Okonkwo, a former spokesman for the Labour Party presidential campaign, made the comments while speaking in an interview with News Central, where he was asked why the ADC was not represented at the Monday event.

The inauguration attracted several prominent political figures, including Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), as well as other politicians.

However, Okonkwo dismissed the significance of the event from the ADC’s perspective, describing it as an affair associated primarily with the All Progressives Movement (APM).

“As far as I’m concerned, that is an APM affair and it should be attributed to APM,” Okonkwo said.

He suggested that there was therefore no reason for leaders of the ADC to attend the inauguration, insisting that the party had no obligation to participate in an event he regarded as belonging to another political platform.

Okonkwo takes swipe at Obi, other attendees

The ADC spokesperson also took a sarcastic swipe at Obi and other politicians who attended the ceremony, suggesting that some politicians were willing to attend almost any public event once they received an invitation.

“Those people that were there — even if you had invited them for naming ceremony or birthday party — they are known for people who like to wave to people,” Okonkwo said.

He added: “Even if there’s no crowd, they will still be waving to trees. It’s just normal for them. If you’re doing anything and you call them they will come.”

The remarks appeared to be directed at politicians who attended the inauguration despite the ADC’s decision to stay away.

Political realignments ahead of 2027

The disagreement comes against the backdrop of growing political manoeuvring ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, with opposition politicians and parties exploring possible alliances and new political arrangements.

Makinde, who is serving his second term as governor of Oyo State, has remained a prominent figure in discussions about the opposition’s political direction ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The governor is also a leading figure within the opposition political space, making his political activities a subject of considerable attention as parties position themselves for the next general election.

The attendance of Obi and other political figures at the Abuja inauguration had consequently generated interest, particularly amid ongoing efforts by opposition politicians to build alliances and consolidate their political influence ahead of 2027.

Okonkwo’s comments highlight the differences that continue to exist among opposition figures and political groups, even as discussions about cooperation and possible realignment intensify.

The ADC, which is backing former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for the 2027 presidential election, has been seeking to position itself as a major platform for opposition forces.

Obi, meanwhile, is pursuing his own presidential ambitions under the NDC after leaving the Labour Party, where he contested the 2023 presidential election.

With the 2027 election approaching, the attendance of politicians at events involving rival political figures is likely to remain closely scrutinised as parties and individual politicians weigh alliances, political relationships and their broader electoral strategies.