The Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in 2023 Peter Obi has officially joined the coalition-backed African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Obi, who had recently told his supporters during a recent X Space chat that he will run for president in 2027 under ADC platform, announced his defection in Enugu at Nike Lake Resort on Wednesday.
He used the ocassion to deliver a New Year address, accusing the government of President Bola Tinubu of state capture, economic mismanagement and systematic erosion of democratic values.
“This decision is guided solely by patriotism and national interest. I now respectfully call on my political associates, the Obidient Movement and opposition leaders across the country to join this broad national coalition under the African Democratic Congress. History will not forgive silence in moments of national peril,” he said.
Obi added, “As the year 2025 ends today, we stand on the threshold of a new beginning. For Nigeria, moments of profound national challenge demand clarity of purpose and decisive action. That moment is now.”
He described Nigeria as a nation in deep trouble, citing widespread poverty, unemployment and insecurity.
“With over 130 million Nigerians living in multidimensional poverty and more than 80 million youths unemployed, our people are in persistent agony.
“This is not the destiny God bequeathed to over 220 million Nigerians.
“Nigeria is looted into poverty,” the former governor stressed.
Obi rejected claims that Nigeria’s crisis was inevitable, arguing that leadership failure, not lack of resources, was responsible.
“As a nation, we are not poor; we are looted into poverty. Nigeria is not broken; Nigeria is severely betrayed. The average Nigerian is not lazy or incompetent, but the system is rigged to reward mediocrity and recycle failure.
“We are ending this year with the hope that in 2026 we will begin a rescue journey.”
He accused the political elite of deliberately exploiting ethnic and religious divisions to remain in power.
“Their expertise lies in creating more divisions to sustain themselves in office. With little or no interest in unity or inclusive development,” he said.
Obi issued a strong warning over the integrity of future elections, insisting that reforms of the electoral system were non-negotiable.
He also warned against attempts to rig the 2027 general elections.
“We will resist rigging of election by every lawful means in 2027,” who defected from the crisi-ridden Labour Party said.
The former Anambra State governor is believed by many to have won the 2023 presidential election.
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