In the South, the African Democratic Congress has been strengthened by the defection of the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to the party. Reports indicate that eight federal parliamentarians are apparently about to formally join the ADC, unless there is a last-minute change of heart.
Joining the ADC in Enugu on Wednesday, Obi—a former governor of Anambra State—called on opposition parties and Nigerians to establish a wide national coalition to “rescue Nigeria from poverty, disunity and democratic decline,” according to Sunday PUNCH.
In an interview, Obi explained that he wanted to leave the LP for the ADC because he was patriotic and wanted to save Nigeria from the APC.
“Patriotism and national interest are the only factors that have influenced our decision. I now humbly urge my political allies in the Obidient Movement and other opposition figures nationwide to unite under the banner of the African Democratic Congress and form this expansive nationwide coalition. He warned that when the nation is in danger, silence will not be tolerated by history.
Obi announced on Wednesday night through his verified X (formerly Twitter) account that a number of federal house of representatives and three sitting senators were present at his defection ceremony, indicating their willingness to join the party.
He mentioned that Gilbert Nnaji, Tony Nwoye, Victor Umeh, and Enyinnaya Abaribe were among the notable senators in attendance. In addition, we were joined by notable political personalities, community leaders, and members of the Federal and State Houses of Assembly, among others, including High Chief Ben Obi, Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, Professor Pat Utomi, Professor Osita Ogbu, Chief Ralph Nwosu, and others.
Obi identified three sitting senators during his remarks, and it was stated after the defection ceremony that eight federal parliamentarians, including them, had defected to the ADC.
Five other legislators, all of whom are believed to be sitting members of the Anambra State House of Representatives, defected from the Labour Party.
Among them are Afamefuna Ogene from the Ogbaru Federal Constituency, Oby Orogbu from the Awka North/Awka South Federal Constituency, and Harris Okonkwo from the Ideamili North/Idemili South Federal Constituency).
Onitsha North/Onitsha South Federal Constituency’s Emeka Godwin and Dunukofia/Njikoka/Anaocha Federal Constituency’s George Ozodinobi are two more.
But their resignations have not yet been officially acknowledged in either house of the national legislature.
According to Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC National Publicity Secretary, who spoke with our reporter, additional federal lawmakers are likely to join the party in the run-up to the 2027 presidential election, thanks to Obi’s formal defection.
We expect other high-caliber politicians to follow Obi’s lead and defect to the ADC, which has gained momentum thanks to his defection. Timely decision-making is expected of others.
Lawmakers and other political heavy hitters are on their way. So far, the engagements have been pleasant, and discussions with them are ongoing. In the coming weeks, they will be here, Abdullahi promised.
In July, Obi and other opposition leaders proposed the ADC as a legislative platform to run against President Tinubu in the 2027 runoff.
The ADC, spearheaded by Rauf Aregbesola, a former governor of Osun State, and David Mark, a former president of the Senate, has been preparing for the next election by portraying itself as a formidable opposition party.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who joined the ADC in November, had already stated on August 25 that he will run for president in 2027 before Obi formally joined the party.
Also, on August 28, Rotimi Amaechi, the former governor of Rivers State and a member of the ADC since July, announced his intention to run for president on the party’s platform.
There are now a record number of candidates seeking the ADC presidential ticket for 2027, thanks to the announcements of Atiku, Amaechi, and Obi.
Obi “Obidient” cannot be stopped by APC governors.
According to Obidient National Leader Yunusa Tanko, who spoke with our correspondent, Obi joined the ADC primarily to get the party’s presidential ticket, as his defection would bring in more Nigerians for the cause.
Tanko pointed out that the former presidential candidate of the LP was still well-liked even if several governors had defected to the current APC government.
Furthermore, he downplayed worries that South-East governor defections would undermine Obi’s electoral prospects in 2027, painting the former governor of Anambra State as an enthusiastic contender who may surpass his performance in 2023.
Personally, I think he’s a well-liked candidate. His ability to recruit more than in 2023 is assured, he said.
He stated, “People want change, genuine change that can translate into good leadership in this country, and Obi represents that,” implying that the people, not political officeholders, were the primary drivers of election results.
The votes, according to Tanko, would come from the people, who desired Obi as their next leader, thus governors couldn’t independently predict voting patterns.
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