Peter Obi, South-East Leaders Dump LP For ADC, Say Move Aimed At ‘Rescuing Nigeria’ From APC Misrule

Enugu State– Former Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, has formally declared for the African Democratic Congress (ADC), alongside other political leaders from Nigeria’s South-East geopolitical zone, in what appears to be a major realignment of opposition forces ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The declaration was made on Wednesday at a meeting in Enugu, the Enugu State capital, after what the leaders described as months of extensive consultations within and outside the region.

According to them, the decision to pitch their tent with the ADC is part of a broader strategy to build a united national opposition capable of dislodging the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), which they accused of entrenching poor governance, economic hardship and institutional decay.

Speaking at the meeting, Obi said the move was driven by a sense of urgency to save Nigeria from further decline, insisting that the country’s problems were the direct result of leadership failure rather than a lack of resources.

“As the year 2025 ends today, we stand on the threshold of a new year, which we hope will mark the beginning of Nigeria’s long-awaited socio-economic transformation,” Obi said.

“For Nigeria, that moment of decisive action is now. Nigeria is not poor; we are looted into poverty.”

He painted a bleak picture of the state of the nation, describing Nigeria as “a nation in grave distress” ravaged by insecurity, mass unemployment, widespread poverty and the collapse of public institutions.

“With over 130 million Nigerians living in multidimensional poverty and more than 80 million youths unemployed, our people are in persistent agony,” he said.

“Nigeria is not collapsing under the weight of its people; Nigeria is suffocating under the weight of impunity and the greed of her leadership.”

Obi argued that the country’s crisis was rooted in betrayal by the political elite. “As a nation, we are not poor; we are looted into poverty. As a nation, we are not broken; we are severely betrayed,” he said to loud applause from supporters at the venue.

He also called for urgent reforms of Nigeria’s electoral system, warning that the credibility of the 2027 elections would be a defining test for the country’s democracy.

“We most strongly demand urgent reforms of the entire electoral process,” Obi said. “At the heart of our coming national transformation is electoral integrity. We can no longer toy with elections, especially when we see the tragedies of truncated democracies across West Africa.”

He cautioned against any attempt to manipulate the 2027 polls, declaring that Nigerians would resist efforts to subvert their will.

“The will of the Nigerian people is sacrosanct and non-negotiable,” he said. “Those plotting to subvert it in 2027 should rethink their actions. Nigerians have endured enough.”

Drawing comparisons from his international engagements, Obi cited Rwanda, Indonesia and several Asian economies as examples of what purposeful leadership and national unity can achieve.

“In 1995, Rwanda’s GDP per capita was about $200. Today, it is over $1,000,” he said. “Nigeria’s GDP per capita in 1995 was $1,225, but has declined to below $1,000 after 30 years. This is a tragedy for a country called the ‘Giant of Africa.’”

He attributed the widening gap to leadership choices and lack of national consensus, referencing his interactions with Rwandan President Paul Kagame, Indonesian leaders and scholars such as Nobel laureate Prof. James Robinson.

“Our problem is not ignorance,” Obi said. “Nations like Nigeria know what to do to prosper but refuse to do so. The problem is leadership and lack of unity.”

The former Anambra State governor also took a swipe at the Federal Government’s fiscal policies, particularly ongoing controversies surrounding tax reforms.

“It is bad fiscal policy for government to make the people poorer and still tax them more,” he said. “Taxing poverty will not create wealth; it will create more poverty.”

He described reports of a forged tax law as alarming. “For the first time in our history, a tax law is reported to be forged,” Obi said. “A forged tax regime cannot create wealth and cannot sustain national unity.”

In a major political declaration, Obi announced his formal alignment with a broad opposition coalition under the African Democratic Congress, led by former Senate President David Mark.

“Having been part of the coalition from inception, I now respectfully call on my supporters, the Obidient Movement and opposition parties across the country to join this broad national coalition under the ADC,” he said.

“This decision is guided solely by patriotism and national interest.”

He dismissed claims of political invincibility by the ruling party, describing the APC-led establishment as fragile.

“They have built a house of cards with lies and errors,” Obi said. “Democracy offers us the opportunity to reject them at the polls. Our job in 2027 is to vote them out and keep vigil until they are out.”

Obi urged Nigerians to reject despair, ethnic division and silence.

“This is not the time for silence or ethnic chauvinism,” he said. “It is time to unite to dismantle the criminal enterprise destroying Nigeria.”

“Together, let us move forward with courage, unity and resolve,” Obi concluded. “A new, united, productive and inclusive Nigeria is possible.”