Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, is reportedly preparing to officially join the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as part of ongoing discussions ahead of the 2027 general elections.
A senior official of the ADC in Abuja told Sunday PUNCH that Obi has finalized plans to join the party and is expected to hold a declaration rally in Enugu, the political capital of the South-East, on December 31. Supporters and loyalists of Obi have already started making arrangements for the defection.
The source revealed that about three weeks ago, after the ADC asked Obi to decide on joining the party, he met with the party’s National Chairman, David Mark, to reaffirm his commitment to the coalition. This meeting may have influenced Obi’s decision to join the ADC.
Earlier in December, the ADC responded to a statement by Obi describing the party as unstable by urging him to make a clear decision on whether to join the coalition.
The ADC official said, “We are aware that Peter Obi is making plans to declare for the ADC on December 31 in Enugu. Although he has yet to formally inform the party, the plans are genuine.”
When asked why Obi would choose Enugu over his home state, Anambra, for the declaration, the official explained, “Enugu is the political capital of the South-East. Obi is representing the region, not just his state. That must have informed his decision.”
However, the ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said he could not confirm Obi’s planned defection, stating, “The point is that there is no official announcement yet. But consultations are ongoing.”
Similarly, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, declined to comment directly, saying only Obi could speak on the matter.
Meanwhile, the Labour Party’s National Working Committee, led by Julius Abure, has downplayed the reports of Obi’s defection. The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, said they would wait for Obi’s personal statement before commenting further.
He remarked, “We cannot fully comment on that until we hear from Obi. As we normally say, anybody can defect from anywhere to anywhere. It is normal in Nigerian politics. Labour Party doesn’t see it as a big deal.”
Ifoh added that any decision by Obi to leave the party would likely be driven by personal ambition rather than a failure of the party. He reassured that the Labour Party would continue to thrive regardless.
While expressing no ill feelings, the Labour Party spokesman said it would have been better for Obi to stay and resolve any differences within the party. “But the wisest thing for him to do is to stay back and work with the party that gave him the spread he got in 2023. He should try to reconcile with the party leadership and move on from there. But if he prefers to jump from one party to another, we wish him all the best.”
Leave a comment