By Deborah Nnamdi
The Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, has formally declared for the African Democratic Congress (ADC), alongside other prominent political leaders from the South-East geopolitical zone.
The declaration was made on Wednesday in Enugu, the Enugu State capital, where the leaders said their decision followed months of consultations and engagements. They explained that the move to the ADC was aimed at building a broad opposition coalition to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and rescue Nigeria from what they described as poor governance.
Among those present at the event were former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha; Senators Ben Obi, Victor Umeh, Tony Nwoye, Gilbert Nnaji and Sam Egwu; Chief Onyema Ugochukwu; Enyinnaya Abaribe; as well as several serving and former members of the National Assembly.
Other political heavyweights from across the country also attended, including former Senate President and National Chairman of the ADC, David Mark; former Sokoto State Governor, Senator Aminu Tambuwal; former governors from the South-East; and other party leaders and dignitaries.
Speaking at the event, Obi described the defection to the ADC as the beginning of a nationwide effort to reclaim Nigeria from misrule. He said the decision to end 2025 with a new political alignment was intended to lay the foundation for a renewed push for national rescue in 2026.
Obi accused beneficiaries of Nigeria’s democracy of aiding its decline through intimidation and coercion against opposition forces, warning that such practices must be resisted. He also vowed that the opposition would lawfully resist any attempt to rig the 2027 general elections, urging the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to strictly adhere to electoral rules and regulations.
The former Anambra State governor stressed the need for stronger institutions, insisting that issues such as candidates’ educational qualifications should be conclusively addressed well ahead of elections to avoid unnecessary controversies.
He further emphasised the importance of opposition unity, arguing that Nigeria requires competent and inclusive leadership to address the country’s growing divisions. Obi also criticised the Federal Government’s tax reform policies, describing them as hostile to citizens and harmful to economic growth.
Obi’s defection to the ADC adds to a growing list of political heavyweights, including Atiku Abubakar, Rotimi Amaechi and Nasir El-Rufai, who earlier declared for the party, setting the stage for an intensified political contest ahead of the 2027 elections.
