The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has formally moved from the party to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).Obi announced his decision on Wednesday at a political rally held at the Nike Lake Resort Hotel in Enugu. Speaking at the event, the former Anambra State governor said the move was driven by a renewed determination to chart a new course for the country ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He stated that the coalition would lawfully resist any attempt to undermine the electoral process, adding that the aim was to begin what he described as a “rescue mission” for Nigeria. Obi joined the ADC alongside his supporters from the LP as well as politicians from other parties. According to him, the move should not be seen strictly as a defection, but rather the formalisation of his involvement with the ADC, noting that he had been part of discussions that led to the formation of the opposition coalition which later adopted the party as its platform for 2027. He said the coalition is being led by former Senate President, David Mark.
Obi called on Nigerians and members of other political parties who are dissatisfied with the state of governance to join the ADC, describing the party as a family committed to reform and national renewal rather than personal gain. He also criticised the administration of President Bola Tinubu, accusing it of poor leadership and pointing to the recently proposed tax policies as an example.
Several politicians from the South-east also joined the ADC at the event. Among them was Abia South Senator, Enyinnaya Abaribe, who announced his resignation from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and declared his allegiance to the ADC.Other politicians who switched to the ADC included Anambra Central Senator, Victor Umeh; Anambra North Senator, Tony Nwoye; and former Ebonyi State governor, Sam Egwu, all previously members of the Labour Party or the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Former PDP chieftain, Ben Obi, also joined the party at the rally.A former Enugu East Senator, Gilbert Nnaji, who had earlier defected from the PDP to the ADC, was also present at the event.
Earlier in 2025, politicians from different parties formed the National Opposition Coalition Group with the aim of challenging President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 elections. The coalition adopted the ADC as its official platform in July. Key figures in the coalition include former PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, as well as former governors Nasir El-Rufai, Rotimi Amaechi, Gabriel Suswam, and Sule Lamido. Obi’s exit from the Labour Party comes after months of internal leadership disputes that split the party into two rival factions.
Source: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/
