Journey to Rescue Nigeria Begins Now — Peter Obi Declares as He Joins ADC

Former Anambra State governor and Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Mr. Peter Obi, has formally defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), declaring that the move marks the beginning of a new effort to “rescue Nigeria.”

Speaking at the well-attended event in Enugu on Wednesday, Obi said he had been part of the opposition coalition from its inception, adding that “2026 will begin a journey to rescue our country.”

Obi joined the ADC alongside several prominent politicians, including Senators Enyinnaya Abaribe, who resigned from APGA; Victor Umeh and Tony Nwoye, formerly of the Labour Party; and former Labour Party members of the House of Representatives led by Victor Ogene. Also defecting were former Imo State governors Achike Udenwa and Emeka Ihedioha, former PDP National Chairman Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, Senator Sam Egwu, Senator Gil Nnaji, and Enugu State Assembly member Harrison Ogara, among others.

At the event, Obi lamented what he described as the steady erosion of democracy in Nigeria, warning that those who once benefited from democratic governance were now undermining it.

“People who benefited from democracy are now helping to destroy democracy one way or the other, but we will not allow them to succeed,” he said.

He stressed that the ADC and its partners were committed to unity, electoral integrity and national renewal, vowing that any attempt to rig the 2027 elections would be resisted.

“We will resist any plot to rig the 2027 elections. The will of the Nigerian people is sacrosanct and non-negotiable,” Obi warned.

Obi painted a bleak picture of Nigeria’s economic and security situation, blaming leadership failure rather than lack of resources.

“Today our GDP has gone down; it does not show competent leadership. Unity, competent leadership, commitment and compassion are what we need to change the system,” he said.

He added: “Nigeria is not poor; we are looted into poverty. We have borrowed more than any government, and today we are mocked in the comity of nations because of bad and incompetent leadership.”

Calling for urgent reforms of the electoral system, Obi argued that credible elections were central to national transformation. He cited countries such as Rwanda and Indonesia as examples of how unity and effective leadership could drive development.

“Our problem is not ignorance. Nations like Nigeria know what to do to prosper, but refuse to do so. The problem is leadership and lack of unity,” he said.

Obi also criticised the Federal Government’s fiscal policies, particularly ongoing tax reforms, describing them as harmful to ordinary Nigerians.

“It is bad fiscal policy to make the people poorer and still tax them more. Taxing poverty will not create wealth; it will create more poverty,” he said, describing reports of a forged tax law as “alarming.”

Formally aligning himself with the ADC-led opposition coalition chaired by former Senate President David Mark, Obi called on his supporters, the Obidient Movement and other opposition groups to rally under the party.

“Having been part of the coalition from inception, I now call on my supporters and opposition parties across the country to join this broad national coalition under the ADC. This decision is guided solely by patriotism and national interest,” he said.

On his part, ADC National Chairman, Senator David Mark, said the party was committed to integrity, transparency and equal opportunity, stressing the importance of reintegrating the South-East into Nigeria’s political mainstream.

Meanwhile, Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, said he would not defect to the ADC with Obi, insisting he would remain in the Labour Party to help resolve its internal crises.

“I joined the Labour Party before Mr. Peter Obi. He informed me of his decision to leave, and I gave him my blessings, but I told him I would remain in the Labour Party to continue the struggle to rescue it,” Otti said.

Otti added that discussions on alternative political options would only come after all internal efforts to stabilise the Labour Party had been exhausted.

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