Former Anambra State Governor and the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Mr Peter Obi, has officially defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Obi announced his defection on Wednesday in Enugu, saying the move was part of a broader effort to reposition the country and build a credible opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The former governor said his decision to join the coalition-backed ADC was driven by the need to rescue Nigeria from its current challenges and chart a new course for national development.
“We are ending this year with the hope that in 2026, we will begin a rescue journey,” Obi said.
He added that the coalition was committed to ensuring credible elections in 2027, pledging to resist electoral malpractice through lawful means.
“We will resist rigging of elections by every lawful means in 2027,” he said.
Obi also called on opposition leaders across the country to close ranks and work together as one family under the leadership of former Senate President and ADC National Chairman, Sen. David Mark.
According to him, unity among opposition parties is critical to achieving meaningful political change and restoring public confidence in governance.
Several prominent political figures attended the event, including former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Emeka Ihedioha; Senators Ben Obi, Victor Umeh, Tony Nwoye, Gilbert Nnaji, Enyinnya Abaribe and Sam Egwu.
Others present were Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, members of the National Assembly, former governors from the South-East, as well as party leaders and stakeholders from across the country.
Also in attendance were former Senate President and ADC National Chairman, Sen. David Mark, and former Sokoto State Governor, Sen. Aminu Tambuwal, alongside other dignitaries.
Obi, a former two-term governor of Anambra State, has belonged to several political parties in the course of his political career. He governed Anambra under the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) before moving to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and later the Labour Party, where he contested the 2023 presidential election.
His defection to the ADC comes about one month after former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also joined the party on Nov. 24, 2025.
Atiku, who served as vice president between 1999 and 2007, had previously contested presidential elections on different party platforms, including the PDP and the now-defunct Action Congress, before leaving the All Progressives Congress (APC) and returning to the PDP to contest the 2019 and 2023 presidential elections.
Both Obi and Atiku are among leading political figures expected to vie for the ADC’s presidential ticket as the party positions itself to challenge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general election.