Kenneth Okonkwo, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, says members of the Obidient Movement who failed to join ADC in solidarity with former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi are ‘dis-Obidients’.

Mr Okonkwo made the assertion on Friday during an interview on Channels TV.

“If you listen to his interview on X Space, he said all the Obidients should go and register as members of the ADC. So if you are an Obidient and you’re not in the ADC, sorry, you’re not an Obidient, you are a disobedient,” he said.

Mr Okoronkwo added, “When I was in the Labour Party, I said it was a tactical mistake telling your followers they can join all political parties, and I’m very glad that my brother, Peter Obi, has changed that tactic.”

Mr Obi had on Tuesday officially defected to the coalition-backed ADC, declaring his readiness to work with like-minded Nigerians to resist electoral malpractice ahead of the 2027 elections.

Welcoming Mr Obi to the ADC, Mr Okonkwo said he was committed to supporting whoever emerges as the ADC presidential candidate in 2027.

“Anybody you see in the ADC is allowed to join on one condition: you must be a true democrat. ADC will not compromise on internal democracy and adherence to democratic principles. No leader or opposition figure was allowed to give conditions before joining because we want discipline and a solid foundation,” he said.

According to Mr Okonkwo, the South-East has largely aligned with the ADC.

“Now, the South-East has gone ADC, as I said they would. Any other politician who is not in the ADC and wants to work for another party is working for Tinubu,” he added. “Peter Obi is an ADC member. We work with every ADC member. Rest assured, whoever emerges as the ADC presidential candidate, I will work for that person. I don’t have any personal rift with anyone.”