A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dr Ladan Salihu, has urged political economist Professor Pat Utomi and supporters of former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, popularly known as Obidients, to remain calm amid growing debate over the party’s 2027 presidential ticket. Salihu made the call while reacting to Utomi’s recent comment that he would withdraw his support for Obi if the former governor accepted a vice-presidential slot in an emerging opposition coalition following his defection to the ADC.
Speaking on Arise Television’s The Morning Show on Friday, Salihu said Utomi had acted hastily, adding that the party’s current focus should not be early contestations over the presidency.
“Pat Utomi has rushed with his comment. I believe he should calm down and sober up,” Salihu said.
He stressed that the ADC was presently focused on strengthening its structure and positioning itself as a credible opposition platform. “We are trying to recruit members, we are trying to put the party together, to begin to articulate how we will perform our role as a mega opposition party,” he said, adding that attention should be on growing and marketing the party nationwide.
Responding to demands by Obidients that Obi must emerge as the ADC’s presidential candidate, Salihu cautioned against joining political parties with preconditions, noting that candidates must compete through democratic processes. “You join as a member, you harvest your votes, you put your credibility and you sell yourself to the voters, to the delegates. Eventually, the delegates will decide,” he said, warning that a “win-or-nothing” stance was anti-democratic.