Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi has officially joined the coalition-backed African Democratic Congress (ADC).
He announced his defection on Wednesday in Enugu.
The former governor of Anambra State said his move ahead of the 2027 general elections is aimed at transforming and rescuing Nigeria.
“We are ending this year with the hope that in 2026 we will begin a rescue journey,” Mr Obi said.
“We will resist rigging of election by every lawful means in 2027,” he added.
Obi’s defection comes after Abia State Governor Alex Otti, who is also a member of the Labour Party, said he would remain with the party.
Speaking on Tuesday during a monthly media chat in Umuahia, Governor Otti said Obi had informed him of his decision and that he had given him his blessings.
“If you remember, I joined the Labour Party before Peter Obi, so I did not join the party with him,” Otti said.
“He has communicated to me that he is leaving the Labour Party. I gave him my blessings. But I will remain in the Labour Party, and I told him that I would continue the struggle to rescue the Labour Party. That is the party that brought me to power. If we fight and get to the end, and we are unable to reposition the Labour Party, then we can discuss other options. Therefore, for now, I am not defecting to any party.”
Otti also responded to calls from Benjamin Kalu, deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, urging him to join the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He said he would not be distracted.
“Ordinarily, I would not respond to matters like that. However, those of you who listened to my Christmas message would recall that I called on our people who have enough to extend support to the less privileged, particularly at this period,” Otti said.
“So, seeing that he heeded the call and distributed money to vulnerable people, I thank him for doing that. But I have also taken a principled decision not to dignify all the comments he made with any response. I am sure you are aware of a man called Winston Churchill. He was a two-time prime minister of the United Kingdom and lived from 1874 to 1965. He was a profound thinker and writer who said, ‘You will never get to your destination if you stop to throw stones at every dog that barks.’ We will remain focused on our job.”
Peter Obi is now part of the ADC coalition, although he has recently raised concerns over the party’s “unresolved zoning arrangement” ahead of the 2027 election.
