A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Pat Utomi, has clarified that former President Olusegun Obasanjo did not play any formal role in the recent opposition coalition summit held in Ibadan, despite widespread assumptions about his involvement.
Speaking during an interview on Arise News on Sunday April 25, 2026, Utomi stated that while Obasanjo was associated with the event in public perception, he neither attended nor participated directly in proceedings.
“President Obasanjo did not play any specific role. I talked with him, but he didn’t show up,” Utomi said, offering a more restrained account of the former leader’s involvement.
The clarification comes amid heightened attention on the Ibadan summit, where opposition figures across multiple political parties converged to discuss a unified strategy ahead of the 2027 general elections. A central outcome of the meeting was the push to field a single presidential candidate capable of mounting a strong challenge to the ruling party.
Obasanjo’s perceived presence had initially been interpreted by some analysts as a signal of elite backing for the coalition effort. However, Utomi’s remarks suggest that while the former president may be supportive of democratic engagement in principle, he was not directly involved in shaping the summit’s resolutions.
The development underscores the still-evolving nature of the opposition alliance, as key actors attempt to balance symbolism, influence, and practical coordination in their bid to present a united front in 2027……See More
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