The Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, alongside other political leaders from the South-East geopolitical zone, has formally declared for the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The declaration was made on Wednesday in Enugu, the Enugu State capital, where the leaders said that after months of consultations they had resolved to join the ADC and work with opposition figures nationwide to rescue Nigeria from what they described as the poor governance of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Among those present at the event were former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Emeka Ihedioha, Senators Ben Obi, Victor Umeh, Tony Nwoye, Gilbert Nnaji, Enyinnaya Abaribe and Sam Egwu, as well as Chief Onyema Ugochukwu and several other serving and former members of the National Assembly.
Other party leaders from across the country also attended, including former Senate President and National Chairman of the ADC David Mark, former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal, former governors from the South-East and other dignitaries.
Speaking at the event, Obi described the move to the ADC as the beginning of a collective effort to reclaim the country from the ruling party.
“Today is an important day; today is the last day of 2025, so we are ending this year with the hope that, in 2026, we will begin a journey of the rescue of our country for proper socio-economic development that will be unifying and inclusive,” he said.
He accused those in power of undermining Nigeria’s democracy through intimidation and political violence against the opposition, warning that such actions would be resisted.
“We have all watched those who benefited from our democracy become accessories to destroying our democracy, either through coercion and gangsterism against the opposition. We cannot allow this to happen; we will resist it,” Obi stated.
The former Anambra State governor also pledged that the opposition would resist any attempt to rig the 2027 general elections, urging the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to strictly adhere to electoral rules and regulations.
He stressed the need for stronger institutions and insisted that eligibility requirements for contesting elections, including educational qualifications, must be clearly enforced ahead of the next polls.
Obi further emphasised the importance of unity among opposition parties, noting that Nigeria required competent and inclusive leadership to address deepening national divisions.
His declaration aligns him with other prominent political figures, including Atiku Abubakar, Rotimi Amaechi and Nasir El-Rufai, who earlier declared for the ADC, as opposition forces intensify efforts ahead of the 2027 elections.
