Peter Obi Should Have Stayed In ADC” — David Mark’s Aide Igbawua Sparks Political Debate

Media aide to former Senate President David Mark, Chille Igbawua, has said that former presidential candidate Peter Obi made the wrong decision by leaving the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Igbawua, who is also a member of the ADC Electoral Panel, made the remarks during an interview on Channels Television, insisting that the party provided a fair and equal platform for all aspirants during its primary election.

He argued that Obi should have remained in the ADC, even if he had lost the presidential primary to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, saying such participation would have offered valuable political lessons.

Citing examples from the process, Igbawua said in Benue State, Atiku secured 55,000 votes, while Amaechi polled 30,000 and Hayatu-deen got 22,000, as evidence that the contest was competitive and fair.

When asked whether he believed Peter Obi might now be glad he did not participate in the ADC primary against Atiku, Igbawua dismissed the suggestion, saying Obi had the right to his decision but, in his view, it was not the best choice.

He explained that the coalition process behind the ADC was built on sacrifice and national interest rather than personal ambition, noting that many participants, including himself, had stepped back from political contests to allow others to emerge.

According to him, the expectation was that all stakeholders would make similar sacrifices for the broader goal of national interest, rather than abandon the process after losing out on personal ambitions.

He further alleged that some individuals left the process midway due to internal disagreements, while others returned later, creating inconsistencies in participation.

Igbawua maintained that the primary results demonstrated a level playing field, noting that different candidates won in different areas, which, in his view, reflected fairness in the process.

He also acknowledged that Atiku Abubakar had built a strong political structure over the years, but rejected the idea that he was unbeatable, pointing out that he had previously lost party primaries.

He concluded that participating in competitive primaries, even with strong opponents, helps politicians gain experience and understand their strengths and weaknesses for future contests.