Australia-based Nigerian publisher of 9News Nigeria and CEO of Nine Communications Ltd, Mr. Obinna Ejianya, has cautioned the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, against aligning with politicians in the newly formed coalition under the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Ejianya expressed strong doubts about the coalition’s capacity to unseat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections, as it aspires to do.

Speaking on the TVC Breakfast Morning Show, Ejianya urged Obi not to contest in the next presidential election, arguing that many of the politicians behind the coalition are part of the same political class that has contributed to Nigeria’s current problems.

The media executive advised Obi to allow President Tinubu to complete his term, stressing that the coalition lacks both the structure and sincerity to field Obi as its presidential flagbearer in 2027. According to him, the group is neither united nor strong enough to provide the kind of platform needed for Obi to excel in the race.

“There is nothing special about them,” he said. “All of them have their own personas, political trajectories, and track records in governance. Tinubu became president in 2023 because they were divided. Now, they’re just realising that if they had put their resources together, they might have pulled off something bigger.”

Ejianya argued that the same deep-seated divisions that caused the opposition’s disunity in 2023 still linger and will likely frustrate any attempt at building a credible alternative platform.

“They still carry those differences within them. Even though they appear to be working together on the surface, the cracks remain. Their personal ambitions far outweigh national interest,” he said.

He further observed that many of the politicians now rallying under ADC were previously members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), raising the question of why they chose not to rebuild the PDP instead.

“If they couldn’t manage their differences within PDP, what makes anyone think they can now work together in ADC? The same issues that broke them apart in PDP will likely resurface.”

While acknowledging that the coalition appears to be leveraging Obi’s popularity, Ejianya advised the former Anambra State governor to step aside from the 2027 race.

“If I had my way, I’d have advised them to rebuild the PDP into a viable opposition party that can check and balance Tinubu’s administration. That would yield better democratic dividends. But this frantic regrouping ahead of 2027 will only breed more political confusion and sentiment.”

He stressed that leaders should be focused on addressing Nigeria’s pressing issues, particularly insecurity and the economy, instead of engaging in premature politicking.

Ejianya maintained that his position is informed by the hardship being experienced by ordinary Nigerians, who continue to suffer from elite divisions and political instability.

He therefore urged both the Labour Party and PDP—parties from which most of the ADC coalition members emerged—to return to their roots and rebuild their structures. According to him, this would be more productive than forming new alliances that risk further destabilising the polity.

Speaking directly to Peter Obi, he said: “I like him, but I’ll advise him not to waste his energy and resources on the 2027 election. There’s a difference between a storm and a tsunami. What’s ahead in 2027 is a tsunami, and I’ll advise him to dodge it. He still has time on his side and can return later.”

To Nigerians, Ejianya appealed for support for President Tinubu, urging citizens to prioritise national stability and give the administration a chance to improve the economy and security.

He concluded by warning that the ADC coalition is unlikely to make genuine sacrifices for one another:

“Atiku would never agree to deputise for Obi, and none of them would accept a backseat. They are all driven by personal ambition, not national interest.”

Ejianya also called on President Tinubu to stay focused on delivering good governance and national development, rather than being distracted by coalition politics and the 2027 elections.