Peter Obi officially defects to ADC
In a major political realignment to close the year, Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), has officially defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The move was formalized on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, at the Nike Lake Hotel in Enugu—a city chosen for its historical significance as the capital of the former Eastern Region.
Addressing a gathering of supporters and members of the Obidient Movement, the former governor of Anambra State explained that his decision was driven by a need to unify the opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections. He described the transition as a “rescue journey” for Nigeria, stating:
“We are ending this year with the hope that in 2026 we will begin a rescue journey. We will resist rigging of election by every lawful means in 2027.”
Obi’s defection follows months of internal friction within the Labour Party, including a leadership tussle between the Julius Abure-led faction and the Nenadi Usman-led caretaker committee. Dr. Yunusa Tanko, leader of the Obidient Movement, noted that Enugu was selected for the declaration to provide “historical solidity” to the statement being made by the South-East.
By joining the ADC, Obi aligns himself with a growing coalition that has recently seen an influx of defectors from various parties, including high-profile politicians from the South-East and South-South. The move is widely seen as a strategic step to build a more robust “Third Force” capable of challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the next election cycle.
