The Presidency has dismissed claims linking President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the internal crises surrounding Peter Obi and the African Democratic Congress (ADC), describing such allegations as “baseless”.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, in a statement posted on X on Monday, said Tinubu had no involvement in Obi’s political decisions or the challenges currently facing the party.
“I wonder why all these politicians are turning President Bola Tinubu into their favourite whipping boy. The President has nothing to do with Obi’s abandonment of the Labour Party or the jam he appears to have run into in the ADC,” he said.
Onanuga accused Obi of failing to demonstrate leadership in resolving the crisis within the Labour Party before leaving the platform.
He further argued that Obi relied heavily on the “Obidient movement,” which he described as largely active online, without building it into a structured political platform.
According to him, Obi’s move to the ADC was driven by the need to latch onto an existing political structure, despite the party’s internal challenges.
The presidential aide also linked the ADC crisis to internal issues, referencing the involvement of opposition figures, including Atiku Abubakar and Rauf Aregbesola, while insisting the situation was “self-inflicted.”
“What is the connection of Tinubu with the ADC crisis? Absolutely none. Whatever problem they have is self-inflicted,” he said.
Onanuga urged Obi and other stakeholders to resolve their differences within the party, including disputes involving Nafiu Bala.
He also downplayed Obi’s prospects ahead of the 2027 elections, stating that his performance in the 2023 presidential poll does not guarantee a similar outcome in the future.
“The fact that he came third in 2023 does not mean he will have the same showing in 2027,” he added.
The crisis within the ADC follows a decision by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw recognition from factions within the party, citing a court order to maintain the status quo pending final determination of the case.
While the ADC has accused INEC of misinterpreting the ruling and alleged attempts to undermine the opposition, the Presidency maintains that the dispute has no connection to President Tinubu.
