The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has mocked the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over reports of ongoing efforts to woo Peter Obi, describing the move as evidence of how far the former ruling party has fallen.

The National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, stated that it was laughable that the PDP, once a dominant force in Nigerian politics, was now “begging for candidates all over the place”, a situation he said underscored the party’s declining influence.

“If the PDP is truly wooing Peter Obi, that tells you how low the party has degenerated,” Abdullahi told Daily Trust in an interview.

“This is the same party that many Nigerians were once desperate to get its ticket. Now they are begging for candidates. Why would we be threatened by that?”

Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, is also a prominent member of the ADC-led opposition coalition. His name has resurfaced in recent weeks following public statements by top PDP figures suggesting he should consider returning to their fold.

Among those making overtures is former Information Minister Professor Jerry Gana, while the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum and Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, had earlier expressed readiness to work with Obi, describing him as the de facto opposition leader.

But Abdullahi dismissed the efforts, insisting Obi has not withdrawn from the coalition and understands the “destructive internal dynamics” of the PDP.

“All I know is that Peter Obi is still part of the coalition. He has not told us that he has left or is leaving,” Abdullahi said.

“But Peter Obi knows better. I have said it repeatedly: he understands the PDP as well as everyone else. Can anybody take the risk with PDP now? Knowing the Internal dynamics within the PDP that have led us down this path of destruction?”

He said the ADC was not worried about the reported developments and remained focused on building a credible alternative.

“So we are not bothered,” he said. “We are focused on what we are doing. Like I told you, Peter has not told us he’s leaving the coalition.” (Daily Trust)