Peter Obi insists ADC convention will hold amid INEC warnings, party crisis

By Seyi Babalola

Former Anambra State Governor and African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain Peter Obi has reaffirmed that the ADC convention will go ahead as scheduled, despite warnings from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and internal party conflicts.

He also accused the current government of failing to follow democratic principles.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with ARISE NEWS on Monday, Obi stated that the ADC convention would take place in Abuja as planned.

He said that the party had been denied access to important locations such as Eagle Square and the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, and accused the government of sabotaging opposition parties and failing to follow democratic principles.

“Definitely. It will hold tomorrow (Tuesday). In Abuja here. It’s going to happen in Abuja. And I’m sure ARISE will cover it. It will definitely hold.

“That shows you the integrity of our democracy. If you’re denied simple things like venues and everything, it shows where the country is drifting to.

“When we have freedom of association, everything enshrined in our constitution, and yet a party that is supposed to be the main opposition party cannot be allowed to exist.

“The government doesn’t want other parties to exist. They’re not playing by the rules,” he alleged.

Responding to questions about the venue denials, Obi said he did not know the exact reasons given for rejecting the party’s requests.

However, he stressed that unless the party in power allows institutions to operate independently, such challenges could persist for the ADC.

“I don’t know, just like you. I don’t know, but I believe that unless the party in power decides to support our institutions to be able to play their part, we’ll continue having such problems,” he noted.

Speaking on the ADC’s leadership battle with David Mark, Obi highlighted previous court orders that, he claimed, prevent INEC from intervening in political parties’ internal matters.

He claimed that the rulings should have resolved the issue, but blamed the current government for exacerbating the dilemma and undermining the institution.

“There have been decided cases clearly that say that INEC, as a regulatory body, should not—that nobody should interfere in the internal affairs of political parties.

“It’s some decided cases, which ordinarily would have been enough, but because the present government is bent on destroying the entire system, that’s why we’re going round and round.”