A political activist and leader of the South-South Emerging Leaders’ Forum, Benjamin Kolowei, has alleged that Peter Obi is planning to leave the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

In a statement released on Thursday, Kolowei claimed that the former Labour Party presidential candidate and his supporters are pressuring the ADC coalition to hand him the party’s 2027 presidential ticket, without going through a proper primary.

According to Kolowei, Obi has shown a pattern of avoiding internal party elections, noting how he left the PDP before its presidential primary in 2022 to join Labour Party.

He warned that the ADC and its coalition partners must not allow themselves to be blackmailed, urging them to stand firm and insist on a transparent primary process.

Kolowei added that if Obi is not willing to follow democratic processes, he’s free to move to another political platform. “We’ve gathered that he’s already eyeing another party where he hopes to contest in 2027,” he said.

The group also advised Obi and his supporters—popularly known as the Obidient Movement—to respect other regions, especially the North, which may also be seeking the presidency in the next election cycle.

Kolowei concluded by calling on the ADC leadership to stay alert and not fall for what he described as “political manipulation disguised as activism.”

This development adds to ongoing political tension as Nigeria prepares for another round of general elections in 2027.