The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has formally left the party to join the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Mr Obi announced the move on Wednesday at a political rally held at the Nike Lake Resort Hotel in Enugu, Enugu State.
“We are ending this year with the hope that in 2026 we will begin a journey to rescue our country,” said Mr Obi, a former governor of Anambra State.
“We are also saying to those planning to rig elections in Nigeria in 2027 that we will resist it by every lawful and legitimate means.”
Mr Obi joined the ADC alongside many of his supporters, as well as politicians from other parties.
He explained that his decision was not a defection in the conventional sense, but rather a formalisation of his membership of the ADC, noting that he had been part of the discussions that led to the formation of an opposition coalition which adopted the ADC as its platform for the 2027 general election.
“So, we have all come together to become full members of this coalition of the ADC, led by Senator David Mark,” he said.
Mr Obi urged Nigerians across party lines who are committed to rescuing the country from poor leadership to join the ADC.
“We are not going to be a family of crime. We are not going to be a family that deprives others,” he said.
“We are going to be a family of change, a family that will create a new Nigeria.”
He also criticised the administration of President Bola Tinubu, accusing it of poor leadership and citing the recently proposed tax regime as an example.
More defections
Several politicians from the South-east also defected to the ADC during the rally.
Among them was the senator representing Abia South, Enyinnaya Abaribe.
“Let me announce that from this moment, I resign from the All Progressives Grand Alliance,” Mr Abaribe declared.
“As of now, I am fully in the ADC, following my brother and our leader, Mr Peter Obi.”
Others who joined the ADC at the event included the senator representing Anambra Central, Victor Umeh (LP); the senator representing Anambra North, Tony Nwoye (LP); and a former governor of Ebonyi State, Sam Egwu (PDP).
A former PDP chieftain, Ben Obi, also defected to the ADC.
Additionally, a former senator representing Enugu East, Gilbert Nnaji — who recently left the PDP for the ADC — was present at the rally.
David Mark speaks
Speaking at the event, the National Chairperson of the ADC, David Mark, said the influx of prominent politicians into the party would have a significant impact on the nation’s political landscape.
Mr Mark, a former president of the Nigerian Senate, congratulated Mr Obi and the other defectors, assuring them that the ADC offers all Nigerians and geopolitical zones a genuine sense of belonging and equal opportunity.
“Today’s event is not just a defection; it marks the foundation of a strong and winning coalition nationwide,” he said.
“The ADC is the credible alternative Nigerians have been yearning for.”
He urged the new members to mobilise supporters and expand the party ahead of the 2027 general election.
Also in attendance were a former governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal; a former governor of Imo State and former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha; and other political leaders.
Background
Earlier in 2025, politicians from across various parties formed the National Opposition Coalition Group to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 elections.
In July, the coalition adopted the ADC as its official platform.
The group is led by several prominent figures, including the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar.
Other key promoters include former governors Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna), Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), Gabriel Suswam (Benue), and Sule Lamido (Jigawa).
Mr Obi’s move to the ADC follows months of internal leadership crisis within the Labour Party, which has been split into two factions.
