The Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC) has accused former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Imo State Governor Emeka Ihedioha of secretly working for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and plotting to sabotage opposition efforts in the 2027 general elections.

At a press conference held in Abuja on Friday, the group described Atiku and Ihedioha as “moles” whose actions could derail the chances of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the next presidential race.

Speaking during the press conference, OYC’s National President, Igboayaka O. Igboayaka, alleged that the internal crisis that crippled the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in 2023 was on the verge of repeating itself within the ADC due to what he described as “selfish political maneuvers” by northern elites.

Igboayaka accused Atiku of repeating what he called a “dangerous political precedent,” referencing the 2023 PDP presidential primary crisis.

According to him, Atiku’s refusal to respect Nigeria’s informal rotational presidency arrangement between the North and South contributed significantly to the party’s internal collapse.

He said that after eight years of northern leadership under former President Muhammadu Buhari, it was only fair for power to shift to the South.

The OYC leader further claimed that the PDP’s internal agreement was violated when both the party’s national chairman and presidential candidate emerged from the North at the time.

In a controversial twist, Igboayaka defended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, saying that Wike’s actions during the PDP crisis were not intended to destroy the party.

“Former Governor Nyesom Wike did not intentionally seek to destroy the PDP,” he said, insisting that the real issue stemmed from Atiku’s alleged refusal to allow southern Nigeria produce the party’s presidential candidate.

The group also raised concerns over what it described as a similar power imbalance currently playing out within the ADC.

The OYC pointed out that both the party’s national chairman, David Mark, and Atiku, who is reportedly eyeing the party’s presidential ticket, are from the North.

Igboayaka warned that this arrangement could trigger another internal rebellion and ultimately hand victory to Tinubu in 2027.

“To demonstrate sincerity in stopping Bola Tinubu’s re-election, Atiku Abubakar should step down and support a southern candidate,” he declared.

The OYC went further to allege a coordinated plot within the ADC aimed at undermining the presidential ambition of Peter Obi.

The group accused several figures, including actor-turned-politician Kenneth Okonkwo and Ihedioha, of working behind the scenes to ensure Atiku emerges as the ADC candidate while frustrating Obi’s chances.

The group alleged that Ihedioha had already positioned loyalists within party structures in Imo State to weaken Obi’s support base.

According to the group, Atiku’s continued interest in contesting the ADC presidential ticket in 2027 is not coincidental but part of a calculated strategy.

The OYC alleged that the move was designed to split opposition votes, thereby easing Tinubu’s path to re-election while positioning Atiku for a possible return bid in 2031.

“This is a deliberate political arrangement to aid Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election,” Igboayaka claimed.

The group issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the former Governor of Anambra State and 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, asking him to immediately withdraw from the ADC.

“We urge him to relinquish his membership from the African Democratic Congress within 72 hours and identify an alternative political party to ensure his candidacy in the 2027 presidential election by all feasible means,” the OYC president said.

The development signals deepening cracks within opposition ranks as political realignments intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.