The contest for the 2027 presidential ticket of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is set to intensify following former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi’s defection from the Labour Party (LP) to the opposition party.
Obi officially joined the ADC during a meeting of Southeast party leaders at Nike Lake Resort in Enugu. He was welcomed by Interim National Chairman, former Senate President David Mark, who described Obi’s entry as “the return of the Southeast to the centre of national decision-making, a clean break from politics of exclusion, deceit and broken promises.”
Mark emphasised the party’s commitment to internal democracy, respect for members, people-oriented governance, youth and women inclusion, and the consolidation of ADC’s presence across the Southeast and beyond. “This event is not just a reception; it marks the foundation of a strong and winning national coalition. ADC is your home. Together, we will rewrite Nigeria’s political story and secure a better future for generations to come,”he said.
Justifying his move, Obi stated that it was guided by patriotism and the national interest. “My decision to join the ADC is guided solely by patriotism and national interest. We must rescue Nigeria from division, injustice and ineffective leadership, and return power to the people,” he said. Obi urged unity, credible elections, and reforms in the electoral process, particularly strengthening the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and ensuring adherence to electoral laws ahead of the 2027 polls.
The Southeast ADC leadership hailed the defection as an opportunity to provide the region with an inclusive platform for political engagement. Former Imo State Governor Emeka Ihedioha said the region, excluded from the centre since 2015, requires a credible vehicle to guarantee relevance and effective participation in national governance. He called on political leaders and supporters to register massively with the ADC.
While Obi left the LP, Abia State Governor Alex Otti affirmed he would remain with the party unless efforts to redeem it fail. The Julius Abure faction of the LP criticised Obi, calling him unfit as a candidate and describing his defection as “lacklustre” while claiming it liberated the party from internal crisis.
Presidential Adviser on Information and Strategy Bayo Onanuga also criticised Obi, saying “Nations are not identical, and what worked in Indonesia or the USA may not necessarily work in Nigeria. No leader can move a country forward by simply copying and pasting models from elsewhere. Nations require original thinkers, not copycats. Homegrown solutions are essential for proper development.”
In response, Atiku Abubakar welcomed Obi to the ADC, tweeting: “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 (ADC). It is my pleasure to welcome him officially, as we look forward to a robust working relationship that will foster a virile opposition, one that will ultimately form a government capable of bringing prosperity and peace to our people.”
The Obidient Movement, led by Yunusa Tanko, pledged to follow Obi into the ADC, affirming that supporters would align fully with his new political platform. “We have made our position categorically clear right from the beginning that wherever Peter Obi is going we are going with him… There is no ambiguity in that regard,” he said.
