A leading opposition figure in Nigeria and former presidential candidate Peter Obi Sunday confirmed his exit from the opposition alliance, African Democratic Congress, citing deepening internal crises and a hostile political environment.
Obi announced this in a personal statement on his X platform, reflecting on what he described as the “toxic” nature of Nigeria’s political space and the pressures faced by public figures.
He however stressed that his decision was not due to any personal grievances with key leaders of the party, including its National Chairman, David Mark, or former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, whom he said he continued to respect.
Obi, who is widely believed by many as having won the 2023 presidential election, stated that his exit was driven by recurring internal conflicts and external pressures that he said were beginning to mirror the challenges he previously encountered in the Labour Party.
“The same Nigerian state and its agents that created unnecessary crises and hostility within the Labour Party that forced me to leave now appear to be finding their way into the ADC,” Obi said.
He pointed to persistent court cases, internal divisions, and an atmosphere of suspicion within the party, noting that such distractions were taking attention away from addressing national challenges.
Obi also lamented what he described as a culture where integrity, humility, and service are often misinterpreted as weakness, adding that individuals who strive to act in good faith are frequently subjected to criticism and misrepresentation.
“Even within spaces where one labours sincerely, one is sometimes treated like an outsider,” he said, noting that he and his team had often become targets of blame despite their contributions.
The former Anambra State governor stressed that his political ambition was not driven by a quest for power, but by a desire to see a more just and functional society.
“I am not desperate to be President, Vice President, or Senate President. I am desperate to see a society that works for all,” he said.
Obi however, reaffirmed his commitment to Nigeria’s development, hoping that the country could still achieve leadership anchored on justice, compassion, and equal opportunity.
“A new Nigeria is possible,” he concluded.
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