Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Mr. Peter Obi, has formally defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), declaring his intention to lead a united opposition front to resist electoral fraud and rescue Nigeria from what he described as democratic decline.
Obi made the declaration on Wednesday (today, December 31) in Enugu, at a well-attended event that drew the national leadership of the ADC, lawmakers, and prominent political stakeholders from across the country.
Some notable personalities present at the event included former Senate President David Mark; former governors Achike Udenwa and Sam Egwu; ex-national chairman of the PDP, Okwesilieze Nwodo and Aminu Tambuwal.
Others are: Senators Victor Umeh, Enyinnaya Abaribe and Ben Obi; Emeka Ihedioha; Tony Nwoye; Gilbert Nnaji; Onyema Ugochukwu; Hon. Idu Emeka; Hon. Sheumi; rights activist Aisha Yesufu; Prof. Pat Utomi, and Chief Josephine Aneni, among others.
Describing his defection as a strategic move to save Nigeria’s democracy ahead of the 2027 general elections, Obi warned that the country could no longer tolerate electoral manipulation, intimidation of the opposition, and institutional failure.
“We have seen people who benefited from our democracy openly celebrate electoral fraud, and we are saying clearly to those planning to rig elections in Nigeria come 2027: we will resist it by every lawful and legitimate means,” he declared.
The former Anambra State Governor accused entrenched political interests of turning democratic gains into tools of oppression through coercion and political gangsterism, warning that such practices pose a serious threat to national stability.
“Some people who benefited from our democracy have, at times, become accessories to its destruction. This has happened through coercion and gangsterism against the opposition. We cannot allow this to continue, and we will resist it,” Obi said.
He called on electoral institutions, particularly the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to live up to their constitutional responsibilities ahead of the 2027 polls.
“Despite their weaknesses, institutions like INEC must do the right thing. We must follow the rules and regulations, starting with eligibility and educational qualifications,” he stated.
Obi also criticised Nigeria’s recurring post-election controversies over candidates’ credentials, insisting that such issues must be resolved before elections are held.
“We can no longer remain in a situation where questions are asked after elections about whether a candidate attended school or not. Now is the time to verify everyone who intends to contest elections in Nigeria, and we must follow due process,” he said.
Framing his defection as part of a broader national rescue mission, Obi said Nigeria’s challenges are rooted largely in lack of unity and poor leadership.
“Two things are critical if we are to turn Nigeria around: unity and competent leadership. Nigeria today is not united, and we must ensure national unity alongside leadership with capacity, commitment, and compassion,” he said.
Drawing comparisons with Rwanda and Indonesia, Obi lamented Nigeria’s economic decline despite its vast resources.
“In 1995, Rwanda’s GDP per capita was $237; today it is about $1,100. Nigeria’s was $1,225 then, but today it has fallen below $1,000. For a giant of Africa, this is unacceptable,” he noted.
Obi criticised what he described as hypocrisy in governance, where leaders preach sacrifice while living in excess.
“If you ask people to fast, you must not feast. Leadership must be by example. We can no longer tolerate leaders who lie to the people,” he said.
He also decried rising hunger, insecurity and corruption in the country, despite Nigeria’s enormous natural and human resources.
Explaining his decision to join the ADC, Obi said the move was not about party politics but national survival.
“This is not about defecting to parties; it is about rescuing Nigeria. We are forming a family—not a family of crime or deprivation, but a family of change,” he said.
Calling for opposition unity, Obi urged all political forces opposed to the current trajectory of the country to rally under the ADC platform.
“All opposition forces must unite for the sake of Nigeria. This is a national threat, and we must fight it together, for our children,” he stressed.
He concluded by outlining his vision of a productive and inclusive Nigeria driven by agriculture, manufacturing, and youth empowerment.
“We envision a united Nigeria where no one goes to bed hungry. When millions of young Nigerians are empowered to employ themselves and others, unemployment will no longer dominate our national discourse,” Obi surmised.
