Peter Obi lacks national structure to win presidency – Dino Melaye

Chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dino Melaye, has said Peter Obi lacks the national political structure required to win the 2027 presidential election.

Melaye made the remarks during an interview on the KaaTruths Podcast published on Friday.

According to him, Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, remains a “regional champion” whose political support is largely concentrated in the South-East.

He contrasted Obi’s political reach with that of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, the ADC presidential candidate, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whom he described as having broader national appeal.

Obi contested the 2023 presidential election on the platform of the Labour Party and finished third behind Tinubu and Atiku.

Melaye argued that Obi’s performance in the 2023 election demonstrated the geographical limitations of his support base, despite winning 11 states, including Lagos, Plateau and the Federal Capital Territory.

“Atiku is a nationalist. Obi is a regional champion. It may sound awkward. It may sound offensive. Obi is a good man. He’s my friend. I have respect for him. But he’s a regional champion,” Melaye said.

“And no regional champion in this country will ever be president.”

The ADC chieftain said winning the presidency requires more than strong support in one region, stressing the importance of having political structures across the country.

He questioned Obi’s political presence in states such as Katsina, Borno, Ekiti and Ondo, while arguing that Atiku has built a nationwide network over several years.

“There is no state in this country that Atiku does not have a structure,” Melaye said.

He also pointed to Atiku’s previous presidential contests and experience as former vice-president as factors that have helped him establish political networks across Nigeria.

‘Obi wanted to be coronated’

Melaye also addressed Obi’s decision to leave the ADC after initially showing interest in contesting the 2027 presidential election on the party’s platform.

He said ADC members would have supported Obi if he had participated in and won the party’s presidential primary.

According to Melaye, the party would have urged Atiku to support Obi if the former Anambra governor had emerged as the candidate through a transparent primary.

“But unfortunately, Peter prefers an air-conditioned kitchen. He doesn’t want primary. He just wants to be coronated,” he said.