By Myke Uzendu, Abuja
In a major political realignment on the last day of 2025, the 2023 presidential candidate of Labour Party, Peter Obi, has officially defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The former governor of Anambra state called for unity among opposition forces in a bid to “rescue Nigeria” from what he described as clueless leadership, economic hardship, poverty, and democratic erosion.
Obi, made the announcement on Wednesday, while delivering a New Year address at the Nike Lake Resort in Enugu, attended by prominent South-East political leaders and national opposition figures.
Flanked by several senators and former governors, Obi described the move as a strategic step toward building a broad national coalition under the ADC to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.
“As the year 2025 ends today, we stand on the threshold of a new beginning. Nigeria has reached a critical turning point and can no longer afford politics of division. Moments of profound national challenge demand clarity of purpose and decisive action.
“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 emphasized that the defection marks the start of a “rescue journey” beginning in 2026, vowing that the opposition would resist any attempts to rig the 2027 polls through lawful means.
He described Nigeria as a nation in deep distress, citing widespread poverty, unemployment and insecurity, saying, “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 Nigeria’s crisis was inevitable, arguing that leadership failure, not lack of resources, was responsible.
“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 accused the political elite of deliberately exploiting ethnic and religious divisions to remain in 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.
“We will defend our fragile democracy and make it resilient. The will of the Nigerian people is sacrosanct and non-negotiable,” Obi stated, warning against subversion of the electoral process.
He criticised the Federal Government’s tax reforms, describing them as anti-people and economically counterproductive.
He also described reports of a forged tax law as a dangerous precedent. “A tax regime founded on forgery cannot build trust, unity or prosperity,” Obi said.
Several South-East leaders who defected alongside Obi, include former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Emeka Ihedioha; Senators Victor Umeh, Tony Nwoye, Gilbert Nnaji, Enyinnaya Abaribe, Sam Egwu, Chief Onyema Ugochukwu and others.
Also present at the evet were ADC National Chairman, David Mark and former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal.
In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, on his X handle, the ADC welcomed Obi and his team, highlighting that his addition is a boost to the party’s efforts for national unity and effective governance.
“The African Democratic Congress (@ADCNig) is delighted to officially welcome the former two-term Governor of Anambra State, and Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 General Election, Mr @PeterObi, to the ADC.
“What a way to begin the New Year!” he wrote.
Obi’s defection is seen as a reshaping Nigeria’s opposition landscape, potentially intensifying competition for the ADC presidential ticket ahead of 2027.
Peter Obi joined the Labour Party (LP) in May 2022, shortly before the 2023 elections, transforming it into a major third force with his massive youth-driven “Obidient” movement. He secured third place in the presidential poll, boosting LP’s national profile.
Post-election leadership crises, marked by rival factions, court battles, parallel executives, and accusations involving chairman Julius Abure, fractured the party, leading to defections and INEC exclusions from polls.
Frustrated by the intractable disputes and desire for a unified opposition platform, Obi defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on December 31, 2025, aiming to build a stronger coalition for the 2027 elections and “rescue Nigeria and challenge President Bola Tinubu on the ballot.
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