The Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has officially announced his exit from the African Democratic Congress (ADC), citing a toxic political atmosphere and personal burdens.
The announcement put to bed earlier speculations from political analysts who predicted that the former Anambra man could ditch the new party with his newfound ally, Rabiu Kwankwaso.
In a recent X post, Obi laments alienation from members of the ADC, as well as pointing out the forces of division and confusion allegedly planted by the ruling party in the new ADC alliance.
” Let me state clearly: my decision to leave the ADC is not because our highly respected Chairman, Senator David Mark, treated me badly, nor because my leader and elder brother, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, or any other respected leaders did anything personally wrong to me. I will continue to respect them.” Obi said
” However, the same Nigerian state and its agents that created unnecessary crises and hostility within the Labour Party that forced me to leave now appear to be finding their way into the ADC, with endless court cases, internal battles, suspicion, and division, instead of focusing on deeper national problems and playing politics built more on control and exclusion than on service and nation-building”, He added.
In what appears to be an emotional outburst, Obi reiterated that he is not desperate to be the president, Vice President or Senate President of Nigeria. However, he is desperate to see a Nigeria that works for everyone.
The statement by the former Anambra Governor made no mention of his next political party, leaving political enthusiasts guessing. Many believe Obi will join a northern fringe party with Rabiu Kwankwaso and hedge his bets with a smaller platform.
The 2027 general elections will be held in the first quarter of 2027, leaving candidates with less than 9 months to politick and campaign. Frontrunners remain the incumbent president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Peter Obi as the brightest prospect and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the ADC.
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