A spokesperson for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, Kenneth Okonkwo, has claimed that Peter Obi made a political miscalculation by leaving the opposition coalition for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

Okonkwo alleged that Obi was deliberately lured away from the coalition into the NDC and had now become trapped within the political platform.

The actor-turned politician made the assertion on Thursday during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, where he also described former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as the leader of Nigeria’s opposition ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

According to Okonkwo, the opposition coalition had collectively settled on the ADC as its political platform on July 2, 2026, with several prominent opposition figures, including Obi, participating in the process.

He said Obi subsequently departed for the NDC, which he described as a political association rather than a registered political party, following a court judgment.

“NDC came into opposition on December 10 through a court order. Legally speaking, it’s a political association and not a party, according to the judgment of the court, and they are now appealing,” Okonkwo said.

Explaining his description of Atiku as the opposition leader, he said the various opposition forces had converged under the coalition before choosing the ADC as their platform.

“The opposition came together to form a coalition, and they chose the ADC on July 2, 2026, and all of us were there, including Peter Obi.

“Obi left for the NDC, where he has now entered a trap because they used the NDC to lure him away.

“I can tell you that all the opposition candidates have come together and chosen Atiku Abubakar.”

Okonkwo also said Atiku’s recent challenge to President Bola Tinubu to a presidential debate was made in his capacity as the opposition leader.

“Atiku challenged Tinubu to a debate officially because he is the leader of the opposition,” he said.

The ADC spokesperson also dismissed renewed controversy surrounding allegations linking Atiku to former United States Congressman William Jefferson and investigations conducted in the US between 2005 and 2006.

He described attempts to revive the allegations as politically motivated, insisting that previous investigations did not establish that Atiku requested or received a bribe from Jefferson.

“Atiku Abubakar was completely exonerated,” Okonkwo said.

He questioned the timing of the renewed scrutiny, arguing that allegations concerning Atiku frequently resurface around election periods.

Okonkwo also criticised the continued interest of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the matter, suggesting that the development could have political implications ahead of the 2027 election.

“Every election year we’ll come back to the bars. But again, is this capable of rubbing off the gains that he’d likely get at the polls? No, it will not,” he said.

The lawyer further alleged that unnamed political interests were seeking to prevent Atiku from contesting the 2027 presidential election.

“The only reason they want to stop Atiku Abubakar is because he wants to come and make life better and pleasurable for Nigerians,” he added.

On the proposed presidential debate, Okonkwo said Atiku was prepared to engage Tinubu publicly on their respective programmes and policy direction.

“Atiku has challenged Tinubu to a debate. Officially, that statement was even signed by me,” he said.

He argued that Nigerians deserved an opportunity to directly compare the plans of the leading presidential contenders before making their choice at the polls.

Okonkwo also maintained that political questions surrounding candidates should be addressed through lawful processes rather than what he described as selective use of law enforcement agencies against political opponents.

He said Nigerians had the right to scrutinise the qualifications and eligibility of anyone seeking the presidency in 2027.