A former Special Adviser to Peter Obi on Public Affairs during the 2023 presidential election, Dr. Katchy Ononuju, has alleged that the former Anambra State governor was misled into joining the newly formed opposition coalition that recently aligned with the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
In an interview with Daily Post on Wednesday, Ononuju claimed that Obi was lured into the coalition under false pretenses, only to be sidelined for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who, he alleged, is positioning himself as the coalition’s preferred presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.
“They Tricked Peter Obi,” Says Ononuju
Speaking frankly, Ononuju stated that Obi was led to believe he would emerge as the consensus presidential candidate of the coalition. However, he now believes the coalition’s leadership used Obi’s growing popularity to gain credibility, only to pivot toward Atiku after securing public attention and legitimacy.
“The coalition was just a trick,” Ononuju said. “They told Peter Obi to go ahead with registration and the inauguration of the alliance, assuring him that zoning to the South would be honored afterward. But once the coalition was launched, they began making quiet moves that excluded him from meaningful negotiations.”
He described the situation as a betrayal of both Obi and the broader ideals of fairness and power rotation that many in the South, including himself, had championed.
Ononuju's Role in the Obidient Movement
Recounting his political journey, Ononuju revealed that he, along with Dr. Doyin Okupe, played a key role in initiating what later evolved into the Obidient Movement a youth-led political force that galvanized support for Obi during the 2023 elections.
“We started that movement because we didn’t want the PDP to drift away from its zoning principles. After extensive consultations, we convinced Peter Obi to lead the charge. That’s how the Obidient Movement was born,” he explained.
Ononuju emphasized that the movement was never about personal ambition but about ensuring the inclusion of Southerners in national leadership through equitable zoning arrangements.
Why Vice Presidency is Not an Option
The former adviser warned against any plan to offer Obi the position of Vice President, asserting that such a role would diminish his political relevance and betray the aspirations of his supporters.
“Being Vice President is nothing,” he argued. “Just look at the examples—Shettima, Osinbajo, even Goodluck before he became President. It’s a powerless role if not paired with a strong constitutional mandate. We will not support Obi if he settles for less than what represents our collective aspirations.”
Zoning and the South’s Turn to Lead
Ononuju reiterated his strong belief in the North-South power rotation formula, warning that any attempt to breach that balance would not be tolerated by progressives within and outside the PDP.
“Zoning isn’t just a party tradition; it’s a national necessity. If power has resided in the North for eight years, it must return to the South—regardless of the political party involved. It doesn’t matter whether a Volkswagen Beetle or a Mercedes is used to get there; what matters is that the pendulum swings back,” he said.
According to him, the failure to honor zoning principles undermines national unity and entrenches marginalization, particularly of Southern interests.
Dr. Ononuju’s revelations have reignited debate within Nigeria’s opposition circles about the future of the opposition coalition and the integrity of internal negotiations. With 2027 on the horizon, questions remain about who the coalition will ultimately support and whether Peter Obi will remain within a structure that appears to be veering off course from his core political ideals.
As internal tensions brew, it remains to be seen how Peter Obi and his supporters will respond to what some now see as an orchestrated scheme to edge him out of contention in favor of established northern political elites.
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