Chief John Nwosu
… Calls on Ndigbo to chart new path forward for South East
By David Onwuchekwa
The governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Anambra State, Mr John Nwosu, has said that former Anambra State Governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, remains an integral member of the ADC coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking to journalists on Sunday at the ADC secretariat in Awka, Nwosu said concerns about Obi’s level of identification with the party were unnecessary, saying that he has been part of the coalition from its inception.
Nwosu explained that the ADC coalition is made up of major political parties, including the Labour Party (LP), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), with positions already shared among them.
According to him, the Labour Party, where Obi was the presidential candidate in 2023, was allocated a key position within the coalition, which is currently being occupied by Obi’s nominee.
“Labour Party was among the key parties that formed the ADC coalition and was given a strategic position. PDP was given the National Chairmanship, which is held by Senator David Mark, while the APC was given the National Secretary position, occupied by Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, former Minister of Interior.
“Labour Party is represented by Hon. Chinedu Idigo, who was appointed by His Excellency, Mr Peter Obi, as the National Organising Secretary, while ADC as a party was given the Welfare portfolio. This clearly shows that Mr Peter Obi has been part of this coalition from the beginning, ”Nwosu said.
Reacting to questions on whether he would advise Obi to accept the position of a running mate in 2027, given the growing calls for a change in leadership at the centre, Nwosu said the current APC-led government had failed and that any political strategy aimed at removing it should be supported.
He noted, however, that political decisions are ultimately personal.
“In politics, the best advice to take is the one you give yourself. When I ran for Governor, I received advice from many people, but the decision was mine. I funded about 90 per cent of my campaign, so I also took responsibility for my choices, ”Nwosu disclosed.
Nwosu added that his priority was any political arrangement that would advance the interests of the South-East and the Igbo people.
“Any position or move that will return the South-East to the centre of democratic and economic activities in this country has my full support,” he said.
Highlighting the region’s economic challenges, Nwosu lamented that the South-East’s economy is valued at less than $100 billion, compared to Lagos State’s $262 billion.
“Lagos is just one state in the South-West,” he said. “I therefore appeal to our people to come together, sit down, reflect on where we went wrong and chart a new path forward for the South-East.”
