OK Movement Speaks On Rumoured ADC Split Involving Obi, Kwankwaso

Jabir Ibrahim Yaro, Abuja Coordinator of the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement, has explained why ex-Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi and ex-Governor of Kano State, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso left the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

In an interview with Daily Post, Yaro attributed their departure to internal crises in the ADC, alleged external interference, and strategic political calculations ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Yaro said the opposition parties in Nigeria were facing serious challenges under the present administration.

“First of all, as you know, in Nigeria, opposition parties are in trouble or in danger because of the current administration because there is no single opposition party, as it is now, that is clean without any internal crisis,” he said.

He said the ADC and other opposition parties were facing crises as a result of the machinations of powerful forces.

“And we all know it’s the people behind all the crises in the opposition parties, including the ADC,” he said.

Yaro also cited the recent Supreme Court ruling on the ADC leadership dispute as reasons Obi and Kwankwaso left the party.

He said it was a risky decision to send the case back to the Federal High Court.

“Secondly, if you look at the recent judgment of the Supreme Court, you should know that it is a trap,” he said. This is simply my opinion. I’m not a barrister but it is a trap because the Supreme Court sent the case back to the Federal High Court.”

Yaro said he did not trust the lower court process and claimed interference in the judiciary.

“In fact, a minister is said to be controlling the High Court,” he said.

He also claimed that the judges had been given gifts by the authorities.

Yaro said, “Recently, they built houses for them in the FCT, they gave them land, you know, they bought cars for them and the rest.

“Under their watch, there is no way you should be expecting something positive to come out of the Federal High Court.

‘Promises of ADC Not Fulfilled’
Internal problems within the ADC also led to the decision to leave, Yaro said.

“The coalition had promised transparent processes, including direct primaries or consensus in the first place,” he said.

“Then, secondly, there are internal crises in the ADC,” he said. From day one of this coalition they made it very clear that it would be transparent.

“They said there will be direct primaries, transparent primaries or consensus.

However, he claimed the promises were not fulfilled.

“But as we are going, we have learnt that there is an individual who is trying to hijack the party and stop everyone from expressing their own interests,” he said.

Yaro said Obi and his supporters were interested only in vying for the presidency and would not accept a vice-presidential position.

“We are not ready to accept any vice-presidential position, he said. We are going to compete for the presidency.”

Asked if the position was selfish, he replied: “It is not selfish.

He said Obi had a lot of grassroots support and had inspired many Nigerians to get involved in politics.

“You know that in 2023 many people died because of Peter Obi. They died for his ambition.

‘A lot of people are in politics because of him,’ he said.

‘South Must Complete Tenure’
Yaro also argued that the power should remain in the South in keeping with the regional balance.

“It is the turn of Southern Nigeria,” he said. Let them finish their term.”

He accused one of the aspirants in the coalition of always saying they need to win the presidential ticket.

“The same guy who is trying to get the ADC ticket is the same guy that every election cycle that is saying that he must get that ticket.

“If that is the case, he can’t win an election. Why does it always have to be him? “Why doesn’t he back these people?” he said.

The coordinator of the OK Movement also downplayed the position of the vice-president in Nigeria’s political system, describing it as largely ceremonial.

We all know the VP is just a ceremonial position in this country,” he said.

“Look at what is going on now. It’s ceremonial only.

“And up to now, since Tinubu became president, they have never handed over this country to the vice president.