Obi Defends Wave of Defections to ADC, Warns He’ll Quit Party If ‘Process Is Compromised’

Enugu, Nigeria— Labour Party 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi has defended the recent wave of defections into the African Democratic Congress (ADC) while warning he will dump the party ahead of 2027 if its presidential primary becomes “transactional.”

Speaking in Enugu on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, during his official defection ceremony to the ADC, Obi said the mass movement of politicians into the party was part of a “rescue mission” to save Nigeria’s democracy. He was joined by several South-East leaders including former Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha and Senators Victor Umeh, Tony Nwoye, and Enyinnaya Abaribe. 

Obi argued that politicians “benefiting from democracy” are now “accessories to destroying it through coercion and gangsterism against the opposition”. He said the ADC coalition is meant to resist that trend: “We will resist rigging of the election by every lawful means in 2027”. Analysts note Obi’s move has already “energised the opposition coalition, attracting lawmakers during his defection”.

Obi drew a clear line on internal party democracy: “I will leave the ADC if the party’s primary becomes transactional”. He told supporters he won’t spend billions from personal funds to “buy his way to Aso Rock” because that fuels post-election corruption. 

Public affairs analyst Jide Ojo projected that Obi “may leave the ADC ahead of the 2027 general elections if he fails to clinch the party’s presidential ticket,” noting former VP Atiku Abubakar could have an edge if indirect primaries are adopted. 

Obi’s registration has not been smooth. A faction of the ADC led by Nafiu Bala Gombe rejected his reported registration at the Enugu Zonal office, saying “the party’s constitution does not provide for the registration of individuals at zonal or national offices outside of their designated wards”. The David Mark-led ADC leadership has not commented. 

Obi described 2026 as the start of a “journey of the rescue of our country for proper socio-economic development that will be unifying and inclusive”. He urged INEC to resolve candidate eligibility issues early and vowed the opposition “would no longer be passive”. 

The Lagos APC dismissed the move, calling it “convenience politics masquerading as principle” and part of Obi’s “pattern of political promiscuity”.