The All Progressives Congress reaffirmed its support for President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election, assuring victory is certain, even as former presidential candidate Peter Obi left the Labour Party for the African Democratic Congress ahead of the next election.
Obi, former Governor of Anambra State, announced his defection to the ADC at Nike Lake Resort in Enugu, urging Nigerians and opposition groups to unite under a broad coalition to “rescue Nigeria from poverty, disunity and democratic decline.”
He had previously joined opposition leaders in July to present the ADC as a platform to challenge President Tinubu in 2027. Under the leadership of former Senate President David Mark as national chairman and former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola as national secretary, the ADC has been positioning itself as a major opposition party ready to take on the APC.
Before Obi’s official registration, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi had confirmed their intentions to contest for the party’s presidential ticket, significantly increasing the number of aspirants for the ADC’s nomination.
Obi explained his defection was driven by patriotism and a desire to counter the APC.
“This decision is guided solely by patriotism and national interest. I now respectfully call on my political associates, the Obidient Movement and opposition leaders across the country to join this broad national coalition under the African Democratic Congress. History will not forgive silence in moments of national peril,” he said.
He described Nigeria as being in crisis, citing widespread poverty, unemployment, and insecurity.
“With over 130 million Nigerians living in multidimensional poverty and more than 80 million youths unemployed, our people are in persistent agony. This is not the destiny God bequeathed to over 220 million Nigerians. Nigeria is looted into poverty.”
Obi rejected claims that the crisis was unavoidable, blaming leadership failure rather than a lack of resources.
“As a nation, we are not poor; we are looted into poverty. Nigeria is not broken; Nigeria is severely betrayed. The average Nigerian is not lazy or incompetent, but the system is rigged to reward mediocrity and recycle failure,” he said.
He also accused the political elite of manipulating ethnic and religious divisions to maintain power.
“Their expertise lies in creating more divisions to sustain themselves in office, with little or no interest in unity or inclusive development,” he said.
Obi warned about the integrity of future elections, stressing the need for reforms and cautioning against attempts to manipulate the 2027 general elections.
The defection event in Enugu brought together prominent leaders, former governors, legislators, youth and women leaders. Notable attendees included former Senate President David Mark, former governors Achike Udenwa and Sam Egwu, Senators Aminu Tambuwal, Enyinnaya Abaribe and Tony Nwoye, Chief Ben Obi, Emeka Ihedioha, and representatives of the Obidient Movement led by Dr. Yunusa Tanko, among others.
Responding to Obi’s defection, Atiku Abubakar welcomed him to the ADC, describing it as a landmark for a stronger opposition capable of contesting for power and delivering effective governance.
“Today marks a significant moment in the history of political coalitions in our country, with the official declaration of my brother and associate, Peter Obi, into the African Democratic Congress,” Atiku said.
He expressed optimism that Obi’s entry would enhance collaboration among opposition figures and provide Nigerians with a credible alternative.
ADC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi and ADC National Youth Leader Balarabe Rufai also welcomed Obi, noting that his formal joining was part of a broader strategy to strengthen the coalition against President Tinubu.
However, the Julius Abure-led National Working Committee of the Labour Party described Obi’s defection as a “liberation” for the party, stating it regretted fielding him as its flagbearer in the last election.
The Labour Party argued that Obi’s exit formalised a political separation that had already occurred amid leadership crises and disciplinary issues within the party.
“It will be on record that the leadership of the Labour Party had since urged Obi and his disgruntled followers to exit the party if they were unable to work with the leadership of the party,” the party said.
The LP also claimed that Obi’s defection rally in Enugu was poorly attended and warned that his 2023 presidential bid had contributed to the South-East’s marginal presence in President Tinubu’s administration.
In response, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, criticised Obi’s leadership credentials, calling him inconsistent and accusing him of being unable to recognise the President’s accomplishments over the past two years and seven months.
Onanuga highlighted Tinubu’s economic reforms, infrastructure projects, and strategic policies, stating that Obi ignored these achievements and would likely play a secondary role in the ADC.
APC National Secretary Ajibola Basiru also described Obi as an inconsistent politician, asserting that both he and his ADC colleagues had been defeated in the past and would be defeated again in 2027.
“We thank God that the Nigerian people have accepted APC as a pan-Nigerian political party, with a strong hold in all political zones of the country,” Basiru added.
