Sam Amadi, former chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), has urged Peter Obi, the frontline presidential aspirant of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), to activate a Plan B if he intends to appear on the 2027 ballot. In a post shared on X, Amadi warned that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) government may use the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the judiciary to proscribe the ADC, effectively removing it from the electoral landscape. He emphasized that while internal disputes within the party continue over primary elections and vice-presidential nominations, the government could exploit the situation to eliminate ADC as a political force.
Amadi, a known supporter of Peter Obi, revealed that a woman familiar with INEC’s operations had informed him days before INEC’s recent actions that the government planned to use legal channels to ban the party. He stressed that the APC-led administration is deeply concerned about Obi’s potential candidacy, fearing he would challenge President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid. According to Amadi, Tinubu is “mortally afraid” of Obi’s presence on the ballot, as it would force him to campaign vigorously in a country already facing severe economic and security challenges.
The ADC, which has emerged as a key opposition party uniting leaders opposed to Tinubu’s leadership, has been engulfed in a leadership crisis for months. Party insiders have accused the president of orchestrating the internal conflicts to weaken the opposition and ensure a smooth path to re-election. These tensions have delayed party activities and created uncertainty about its readiness for the 2027 elections. Despite these challenges, Amadi insists that Obi must not wait for the crisis to resolve, as time is running out for any alternative political arrangements.
He called on ADC leadership to act swiftly, warning that INEC’s past actions show it is willing to enforce decisions that favor the ruling party. The potential proscription of the ADC would not only affect Obi’s presidential ambitions but could also silence a major opposition voice in Nigeria’s democratic process. Amadi’s remarks come at a time when political parties are beginning to prepare for the next general elections, and the stakes for party registration and compliance with electoral laws are higher than ever.
As the 2027 elections draw closer, the political landscape remains volatile, with opposition parties facing both internal and external pressures. Amadi’s intervention underscores the growing concern among Nigerians about the fairness of the electoral process and the need for credible alternatives to the current administration. The coming months will likely see increased scrutiny of INEC’s decisions and the legal battles that may follow. The fate of the ADC and its presidential candidate could shape the direction of Nigeria’s democracy in the years ahead.
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