The Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, on Wednesday formally declared for the African Democratic Congress (ADC), alongside several political leaders from the South-East geopolitical zone.
Gatekeepers News reports that the declaration was made at a meeting held in Enugu, the Enugu State capital, where the leaders said their decision followed months of consultations and engagement with opposition figures across the country.
They said the move to the ADC was aimed at building a broad opposition platform to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and “rescue Nigeria from poor governance.”
Among those present at the event were former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha; Senators Victor Umeh, Tony Nwoye, Gilbert Nnaji and Ben Obi; Senator Enyinnya Abaribe; former Ebonyi State Governor, Senator Sam Egwu; Chief Onyema Ugochukwu; as well as several serving and former members of the National Assembly.
Other national political figures in attendance included former Senate President and National Chairman of the ADC, David Mark; former Sokoto State Governor, Senator Aminu Tambuwal; former governors from the South-East; and other party leaders and dignitaries.
Speaking at the event, Obi said the decision to join the ADC marked the beginning of a new phase in the opposition’s effort to reclaim Nigeria from what he described as years of poor leadership.
“Today is an important day. Today is the last day of 2025, and we are ending this year with hope that in 2026 we will begin a journey to rescue our country for proper socio-economic development that will be unifying and inclusive,” Obi said.
He accused those in power of undermining democratic values, warning that the opposition would not allow democracy to be eroded through intimidation or suppression.
“We have watched those who benefited from our democracy become accessories to destroying it through coercion and gangsterism against the opposition. We cannot allow this to happen. We will resist it,” he said.
‘We’ll resist rigging in 2027’
The former Anambra State governor also vowed that the opposition would resist any attempt to rig the 2027 general elections, calling on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to strictly adhere to electoral laws and guidelines.
“We are saying to those planning to rig elections in 2027 that we will resist it by every lawful and legitimate means,” Obi said. “We urge INEC to act properly. We must begin by ensuring strict compliance with the rules, including eligibility and educational qualifications for those seeking elective office.”
Obi further emphasised the need for unity among opposition parties, arguing that Nigeria requires competent and credible leadership to address the country’s deepening social and political divisions.
He also criticised the Federal Government’s tax reform policies, describing them as hostile to citizens and harmful to economic growth.
Obi’s formal entry into the ADC comes after other political heavyweights, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, earlier declared for the party, setting the stage for an intensified political contest ahead of the 2027 elections.
