Abati argued that Obi and Kwankwaso acted out of caution, citing legal uncertainties surrounding the ADC.
By Kehinde Okeowo
Contrary to speculations by some political pundits, veteran journalist and former presidential aide, Reuben Abati, has applauded the defection of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), describing it as a wise decision.
He made his views known on Monday while speaking on the Arise Television programme, ‘The Morning Show’.
On Sunday evening in Abuja, Obi and Kwankwaso officially parted ways with the ADC to join the NDC fold.
The duo was welcomed into the party by Senator Seriake Dickson, its national leader, alongside top executives and hundreds of supporters at the party’s national secretariat.
Reacting to the development, Abati argued that the 2023 Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate and the former Kano State Governor acted out of caution, citing legal uncertainties surrounding the ADC.
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He added that the two political heavyweights might have anticipated potential legal and structural challenges within the party they departed.
He noted that the ADC’s substantive issues before the Federal High Court created uncertainty regarding the party’s future, prompting both Obi and Kwankwaso to align with what he described as a more stable political platform.
The former Ogun State deputy governorship candidate went on to say that the only remaining questions concern the future political direction for both candidates, including the possibility of a joint ticket and the nature of any emerging alliance ahead of future elections.
Abati said: “Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso acted wisely out of caution because it is very clear that the ADC they joined is not going to work; you could run into troubled waters.
“With the substantive matter having been referred to the Federal High Court, they don’t know how that will turn out. So, they’ve quickly moved to another existing platform.
“However, what is the way forward for both candidates? Is it going to be an ‘OK’ ticket? What kind of alliance is being advertised? That will be the big question.”
