Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, has officially defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), urging opposition figures nationwide to unite under a broad coalition to reposition Nigeria ahead of the 2027 polls.
Obi announced his move on Wednesday during a New Year address at the Nike Lake Resort in Enugu, where he accused the current political leadership of economic mismanagement, democratic erosion and state capture.
Describing his defection as an act of patriotism, the former Anambra State governor called on members of the Obidient Movement and opposition leaders across party lines to rally under the ADC, warning that silence in the face of national decline would be unforgivable.
According to Obi, Nigeria has reached a critical crossroads and can no longer sustain politics driven by division and exclusion. He painted a grim picture of the country’s socio-economic condition, citing rising poverty, youth unemployment and insecurity as evidence of leadership failure.
“With over 130 million Nigerians trapped in multidimensional poverty and more than 80 million youths unemployed, our nation is in deep distress,” Obi said, adding that Nigeria’s challenges stem from poor governance rather than lack of resources.
He argued that the country had been “looted into poverty” and accused the political elite of deliberately exploiting ethnic and religious divisions to retain power, while rewarding mediocrity and recycling failed leadership.
Obi also raised concerns about the credibility of future elections, insisting that electoral reforms must be prioritised to safeguard democracy ahead of 2027. He warned against any attempt to manipulate the electoral process.
Drawing comparisons with other developing nations, Obi cited Indonesia as an example of how effective leadership and national unity could drive economic growth, contrasting it with Nigeria’s struggles with corruption and de-industrialisation.
He further criticised the Federal Government’s tax reforms, describing them as anti-people and warning that allegations of irregularities surrounding tax legislation could undermine public trust.
Positioning opposition unity as the key to political change, Obi said defeating what he described as a divisive and propaganda-driven government would require a strong, united front.
