The All Progressives Congress has mocked Peter Obi's decision to leave the African Democratic Congress, with the party's spokesman saying the former Anambra governor is a political opportunist hunting for an easy presidential ticket.
Felix Morka, the APC's national publicity secretary, made the jab on Wednesday after Obi announced his exit from the ADC. Morka described Obi as a "political rolling stone" in a statement, suggesting he moves from party to party without genuine conviction or commitment.
Obi's departure from the ADC came months after he joined the party following his 2023 presidential election loss on the Labour Party platform. He contested that election against Bola Tinubu and Atiku Abubakar but finished third in the results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
The APC spokesman's comment reflects the ruling party's long-running criticism of Obi. Since Tinubu's victory, the APC has repeatedly attacked the former investment banker for his various political affiliations and his claims about Nigeria's economic mismanagement.
Obi's move to the ADC had itself been seen as a strategic repositioning. After the Labour Party lost momentum following the 2023 election, many observers believed Obi was seeking a stronger platform for future political ambitions. His exit from ADC, barely months into his membership, suggests that strategy has shifted again.
The APC's attack carries political weight given that party controls the presidency and commands majorities in the National Assembly. However, Morka's "rolling stone" characterisation is not new in Nigerian politics, where politicians frequently switch parties between election cycles.
Obi has not yet responded to the APC's latest criticism. His political future remains unclear following the ADC exit, though observers expect him to either launch his own political movement, return to the Labour Party, or join another platform ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Morka did not specify what party Obi might join next or what conditions the APC believes he would demand from any new political home. The statement focused largely on attacking Obi's character rather than addressing substantive policy differences.
