A senior member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Kenneth Okonkwo, has called on supporters of former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, to officially register with the ADC ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning that those who fail to do so can no longer claim loyalty to the “Obidient” movement.
Okonkwo made the remarks on Friday during an appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, shortly after Obi announced his move to the ADC as part of a broader opposition alliance.
According to the actor-turned-lawyer, Obi has now clearly directed his followers to align with the ADC, and any supporter who refuses to comply is acting against that instruction.
“When I was still in the Labour Party, I said it was a strategic error to tell supporters they could belong to any political party,” Okonkwo said. “I am pleased that Peter Obi has adjusted that strategy.”
He referenced a recent conversation Obi held on X Space, noting that the former governor openly encouraged his supporters to register as ADC members.
“He clearly stated that Obidients should join the ADC. If you claim to be an Obidient and you are not in the ADC, then you are simply being disobedient,” Okonkwo said, coining the term “DisObidient.”
Okonkwo, who serves on the ADC’s National Working Committee, described the party as one founded on strong democratic principles, stressing that internal democracy is non-negotiable.
“Anyone is welcome in the ADC, but only on one condition — you must be a genuine democrat,” he said. “Internal democracy is something the ADC will never compromise.”
He added that the party intentionally rejected conditional defections in order to maintain discipline and institutional strength.
“No leader was allowed to place demands before joining. That discipline is why the ADC is building a solid and credible foundation,” he explained.
The ADC chieftain further claimed that the South-East region has largely aligned with the party, warning that politicians from the zone who choose alternative platforms are indirectly strengthening the ruling party.
“The South-East is now with the ADC. Any politician from the region operating elsewhere is effectively working for Tinubu,” he stated.
While welcoming Obi into the party, Okonkwo said the ADC has not yet decided on zoning its presidential ticket but assured that he would support whoever emerges from the party’s primaries.
“Peter Obi is now an ADC member, and we work with all our members. Whoever wins the party’s presidential primary will have my full support,” he said.