An All Progressives Congress, APC, chieftain, Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, has sharply criticised recent actions and public statements linked to the Obedient Movement, a political support base loyal to former Anambra State governor Peter Obi, amid growing alignments within the African Democratic Congress, ADC, ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Eze, a known ally of former Rivers State governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, warned that the ADC’s ambition of unseating President Bola Tinubu in 2027 could be jeopardised if internal divisions are not urgently addressed. According to him, no opposition coalition can succeed if it descends into factionalism and mutual suspicion at such an early stage.

Reaction to alleged Amaechi statement

Eze’s remarks followed the circulation of a statement on social media attributed to Amaechi, in which the former transport minister was purported to have praised Peter Obi and endorsed his presidential prospects. Eze described the statement as false, insisting that Amaechi never made such comments.

According to Eze, the claim was part of what he characterised as a deliberate attempt by some interests within the ADC to intimidate or discredit other prominent figures associated with the party’s emerging coalition.

“It was borne out of the fickle imagination of those wallowing in murky waters of illusion and desperation, who are out to blackmail and run down Amaechi and others,” Eze said.

He added that such tactics, if left unchecked, could weaken trust among the party’s leading actors and erode the moral authority the ADC hopes to project as an alternative platform.

Call for unity among ADC power blocs

Eze urged the major political tendencies within the ADC to remain united around a shared objective, stressing that defeating the ruling APC in 2027 would require discipline, patience, and mutual respect.

“This is not only unacceptable and reprehensible but totally condemnable,” he said, while calling on Peter Obi to caution some members of the Obedient Movement whom he accused of promoting what he described as a devious strategy ahead of the party’s presidential primaries.

According to Eze, attempts to blackmail or silence perceived rivals would not translate into electoral advantage.

“This is such an untoward practice and devious strategy that cannot fetch anyone the ADC ticket,” he said.

He emphasised that the ADC presidential ticket remains open and that the process of selecting a flag bearer should be allowed to unfold without undue pressure or brinkmanship.

“We must not be in a hurry to capsize our ship due to personal aggrandisement,” Eze warned.

Stakes for Nigeria and opposition politics

Eze framed the internal tensions within the ADC as a national concern, arguing that many Nigerians now see the party as a potential vehicle for rescuing the country from what he described as years of poor governance.

According to him, expectations are high that the ADC can present a credible, unified alternative capable of restoring public confidence in democratic leadership.

“Nobody is in doubt that Atiku, Amaechi and Obi are the three leading presidential candidates in ADC,” Eze said, referring to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Amaechi, and Obi.

He added that all three men possess the experience, political networks, and policy depth required to govern Nigeria, insisting that undermining any of them could alienate a broad segment of the electorate.

“The fact remains that this trio must work together in all honesty and unity of purpose to achieve the vision of rescuing Nigeria and Nigerians,” he said.

Eze also cautioned that last-minute betrayal or internal sabotage could prove fatal to the party’s chances in 2027, warning that voters would not forgive a failure to rise above personal ambition.

Criticism of ‘existential’ rhetoric

The APC chieftain also expressed concern over statements attributed to some Obi supporters suggesting that the ADC would lose relevance if Obi fails to secure its presidential ticket.

Describing the rhetoric as damaging, Eze said such claims undermine the party’s collective identity and ideological foundation.

“This stand is not only unfortunate, pathetic and demeaning, but unacceptable, shameful, unidealogical and unpatriotic,” he said.

He stressed that while competition is inevitable in a democratic process, the outcome must be respected by all stakeholders.

“We must accept the fact that out of these three leading presidential candidates, only one will be elected to fly the flag of the party come 2027,” Eze said, adding that portraying the party as dependent on a single individual was “absurd, boastful and selfish”.

Political analysts note that Eze’s intervention reflects broader anxieties within Nigeria’s opposition space, where coalition politics has often collapsed under the weight of ego clashes and mistrust before elections even begin.

Observers say attention will now shift to how ADC leadership manages internal communication, clarifies false narratives, and reassures supporters that its candidate selection process will be transparent and inclusive.

How the party balances ambition with unity may determine whether it can sustain momentum into 2027 or repeat the fragmentation that has plagued previous opposition alliances.