Peter Obi, other Igbo leaders join ADC in Enugu

The Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Mr Peter Obi, has formally defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), alongside several prominent political leaders from the South-East geopolitical zone.

They announced the decision on Wednesday during a political rally at the Nike Lake Resort Hotel in Enugu where the leaders converged to announce their collective decision after months of consultations.

According to them, the move to the ADC was part of a broader effort to forge a united opposition platform capable of working with like-minded leaders across the country to “rescue Nigeria from the poor governance of the All Progressives Congress (APC).”

Speaking at the event, Obi described the decision to join the ADC as the beginning of a new political journey aimed at reclaiming Nigeria from what he termed the misrule of the APC.

“Today is an important day. As the last day of 2025, we are ending this year with hope that in 2026, we will begin a genuine journey to rescue our country for proper socio-economic development that is unifying and inclusive,” he said.

He decried what he described as the erosion of democratic values, accusing some beneficiaries of democracy of aiding its destruction through intimidation and suppression of opposition voices.

“We have watched those who benefited from our democracy become accessories to its destruction through coercion and gangsterism against the opposition. We cannot allow this to continue. We will resist it,” Obi added.

Others who defected to the ADC include former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Okwesilieze Nwodo, former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha; Senators Ben Obi, Victor Umeh, Tony Nwoye and Gilbert Nnaji.

They also included Senators Enyinnaya Abaribe, Sam Egwu, as well as several serving and former members of the National Assembly.

Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, Mrs Josephine Anenih, former Imo Governor, Achike Udenwa.

Others are leaders from other parts of the country, including former Senate President and national chairman of the ADC, Senator David Mark; former governor of Sokoto State, Senator Aminu Tambuwal; former governors from the South-East, and other political heavyweights.

Reacting to the development, Sen. Ben Obi, former PDP chieftain, said the South East leaders met and decided that their political interest would be best served in ADC.

He called on all opposition political parties in the country to embrace the ADC as it was the only party that would salvage Nigeria.