Ten Reasons Peter Obi Must Shun ADC Now!

By Steve Osuji (EXPRESSO Umb-rage)

ONE: Engagement Through Subterfuge: The new party emanating from a coalition of opposition politicians has already been tainted. The African Democratic Congress (ADC), has been completely taken over by the Atiku group. 

*Obi

Analysts had mocked ADC as ATIKU DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS, and truly, the situation in the party today has proved them perspicacious. 

A few days ago, Atiku Abubakar, erstwhile vice president of Nigeria and one of the arrowhead of ADC announced that he had formalised his membership of the party. A few others followed suit. 

But this is a plot and premeditated subterfuge. The plot here is to put pressure on all members, especially, Peter Obi, to formalise their membership of the party without further delay.

Atiku and company seek to trap Obi into committing to the party without agreeing on terms of engagement. 

Atiku has indicated that he's hell-bent on contesting for the presidency of Nigeria; but this is utterly out of turn with the rotational principle embedded in Nigeria's multi-ethnic political system. This principle cannot and must not be sacrificed on the altar of one man's vaulting ambition to be president of Nigeria at all cost. 

Since Atiku and ADC have concluded plans to hijack the Presidential ticket of ADC by stealth, Peter Obi must not only shun the ADC (trap) immediately, he must run away from them forthwith. 

The reason for this gentle admonition is that, with the heightened desperation in the Atiku camp, they are capable of deploying extraordinary measures to achieve their dubious objectives.

TWO: There's No Going Back For Atiku. The handwriting is on the wall. It is very clear and unambiguous. The die is cast for him. There's no going back. It is settled. He has gone beyond whether he would run or not. He is already the ADC candidate. Who will dare to run against the Leviathan? 

THREE: Atiku's CAMPAIGN Has Started Full Steam As ADC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE! He makes no bones about it! He has sealed the slot. 

Recall that he already has his team. Feckless Dele Momodu, his de facto campaign director, hinted the other day that if Peter Obi doesn't hurry up to seal the running mate position, it would be ceded to Mr Rotimi Amaechi. What impetus! What gratuitous insult to OBiDIENTS and the Obi group in the ADC.

We hear he's angling for the job too! 

While the party was still discussing the zoning formula, while debate is on about a possible acclamation for Obi, the one with the catalytic momentum in the coalition, Atiku has already beaten the gun to hijack the mandate. 

He wouldn't even wait for a primary and he is already deciding on a running mate. 

He has also gone ahead to host all the ADC State party chairmen in his Abuja residence. After spending billions to fete these key party officials in his abode, he has simply sealed the fate of all other aspirants, making any party primary a formality. 

FOUR: Old Order Democracy. Obi must shun ADC because what is at play is the vintage old order politics. This is no different from what's going on in the APC where President Tinubu has the party in his pocket and he dictates every move and every position. 

As it is, Atiku would be worse than Tinubu because he has no regard for any member of the party and he doesn't give a hoot about any rules of engagement. It is all about bearing the title "president" and not about rebuilding Nigeria or even getting any work done! 

FIVE: He's Not a Democrat. The vile methods OBiDIENTS have rejected and jettisoned is in play right now in ADC.

Atiku has completely taken over ADC, he's already acting like a god whose every word must be obeyed. 

Like Tinubu he's a democrat only by name and a despot by action.

Obi and OBiDIENTS must flee from him and his evil party!

SIX: Obi and OBiDIENTS, Must Take a Stand today. These moves by Atiku are clear pointers that he is not speaking the same language as Obi and OBiDIENTS. Obi must shun Atiku and his ADC, NOW! 

They remain the same old order holding Nigeria and her great people to ransom over the years. Atiku, like Tinubu is all about power mongering: power for power's sake. OBiDIENTS cannot function in ADC under Atiku. 

SEVEN: Obi Doesn't Have To Be President. He has said it umpteenth time that he doesn't have to be president. The reason for his exertions is to prove that a better Nigeria is possible.

Obi is driven by this selfless ideal to remove Nigeria from her present morass in which she is stuck.

There's no better reason to shun Atiku and his ADC than this. There's no difference between APC and ADC. And indeed, there's no difference between Bola Tinubu and Atiku Abubakar. The later may even turn out to be worse when ensconced to the position of power. 

EIGHT: OBiDIENTS Will Never Vote Obi as a Running Mate. Obi becoming a running mate to Atiku will actually spell doom for ADC. Worse, it will not only make Obi a villainous opportunist, it will indeed, inter Obi's political career including his entire persona and essence. 

NINE: Obi Doesn't Have To be a President To Be a Great man. Obi has already earned a more significant place in history than many so-called presidents of Nigeria. Being president of a country doesn't necessarily confer greatness. A man's legacy is what earns him his place in the annals. 

Alfred Nobel, Henry Ford and even Bill Gates today are never presidents. Few presidents have more notable positions in the reckoning of the ages. 

TEN: Better To Quit Than Be a Running Mate. If Nigeria's OLD, WICKED ORDER has conspired to keep you out of the race, if they have closed all the democratic space, if some Nigerians like conspired with the powers that be to criminally shut you out, don't despair. 

EXPRESSO is of the opinion that you should call a world press conference and announce your ouster.

IT'S MORE HONOURABLE TO QUIT THE RACE THAN TO BE A RUNNING MATE.# 

*Osuji was editor at The Guardian and THISDAY among others>>Feedback: steve.osuji@gmail.com  OSUJISTEVE/08.12. 25