Peter Obi, Obidients, Others Set to Join ADC on Wednesday

With the 2023 general election drawing closer, major political actors are already aligning forces where their political interests would be best served. This comes as the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, is set to formally join the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on December 31, 2025, in Enugu.

Obi had earlier participated in the launch of the ADC after major political leaders from troubled parties merged and fused into the party earlier in the year.

However, he had not fully joined the party since then. Analysts say the move has now become imperative following the seemingly irresolvable crisis within the Labour Party.

Obi has not hidden his intention to contest the 2027 general election, having declared earlier in the year that he would announce his political platform when the time was right.

According to reports, Obi will be joining the ADC alongside key political leaders in the South-East, including the federal lawmaker representing Anambra Central, Victor Umeh; Anambra North, Tony Nwoye; Abia South, Enyinnaya Abaribe; PDP chieftain Ben Obi; and members of the Obidient Movement in the region.

However, it is not yet clear if the Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, is part of the movement into the ADC. The Abia governor was recently approached by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join the party and recontest his current position in 2027.

Reports also stated that Obi’s spokesperson, Val Obienyim, confirmed the defection of the former Anambra State governor to the emerging third-force party.

Sources have confirmed that the event will be held in Enugu, adding that it will involve all supporters of Obi across the South-East region.

According to him, supporters would be coming from Abia, Anambra, Imo, and Ebonyi states to join those in Enugu for the exercise scheduled for December 31.

Political analysts who spoke to BusinessDay described the decision as the best option for the former presidential candidate and other South-East politicians, noting that both the LP and PDP are practically dead due to internal strife.

The analysts urged politicians to join forces under the ADC, which they described as the emerging opposition platform capable of challenging the ruling party and preventing Nigeria from drifting into a one-party state ahead of the 2027 general election.

Sunday Ugochi, a lawyer, told BusinessDay that Obi should align with other politicians within the ADC to realise his presidential ambition, stressing that it is obvious the LP is no longer viable.

He warned of alleged plots to turn the country into a one-party state but expressed confidence that such efforts would fail, while commending South-East politicians for their decision to join the ADC.

“There is no point for Obi and other politicians to keep deceiving themselves that the LP or PDP can be revived”, the lawyer said.

“They are practically dead, and it is time for the opposition to come together under one umbrella. There is a plan to turn Nigeria into a one-party state, but it will fail”.

Similarly, the National President of Njiko Igbo Forum (NIF), Okechukwu Obioha, said the group would support Obi to ensure he reaches the pinnacle of his political career.

While further cautioning the ADC against compromising merit and integrity in the choice of its presidential candidate, stressing that Obi remains the hope for restoring Nigeria to the path of greatness.