The formal defection of former Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has continued to generate reactions across Nigeria’s politics, with party leaders and regional groups hailing the move as a turning point for the opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Eastern Union (EU), a political pressure group representing the people of the Old Eastern Region, also welcomed Obi’s defection. In a statement signed by its National President, Hon. Charles Anike, the group described the move as timely.
“The Nigerian masses have been waiting seriously for this move by the people’s candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, and now by his defection, the people’s hope has been revived and rekindled,” Anike said.
He accused the ruling APC of infiltrating opposition parties to weaken them. “The Labour Party has over the period been infiltrated by the APC like dangerous viruses. Tinubu’s die-hard political allies planted many political moles in Labour Party, just as they did in the PDP, especially after the overwhelming performance of the Labour Party through the Obi candidacy,” he stated.
Anike insisted that Obi’s defection was a “dead blow to the APC for the New Year.” He added: “Our energies have been revived and the political atmosphere will surely change soon. Nigerians, especially the wounded youths, are warming up to shock Tinubu and the APC come 2027.”
A Boost to The Opposition
Hon. Rahman Owokoniran, former South West Zonal Secretary of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and now a chieftain of the ADC, described Obi’s decision as a boost for the coalition party.
“It’s a very good development for ADC. It’s no news for us because he has been part of the coalition from the beginning, and what he has done now is the formality of registering with the party like he’s supposed to do,” Owokoniran said.
He added: “It’s a good thing for the nation, particularly a nation that desires change. This move by Obi is going to enable a lot of people who are possibly doubting the possibility of removing the ruling party from office to see that it’s feasible. It’s going to trigger momentum in the direction of the ADC.”
Owokoniran argued that Obi’s defection signals a loss of trust in the ruling party both in the north and south. “The majority of the people that moved with him are from the south, and that’s an assurance for the north that as the ruling party has lost trust in the north, it has equally lost trust in the south,” he said.
Salihu: “One leg in the presidential villa”
ADC chieftain Dr. Ladan Salihu described Obi’s entry into the party as historic. Speaking on Arise TV, he said: “Peter Obi joining the ADC is a defining moment in political history, in the history of the ADC, and in the history of the opposition movement in Nigeria.”
Salihu recalled that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar had also declared for the ADC weeks earlier.
“If you look at the last presidential election in 2023, about 63% of the total presidential votes was garnered by both leaders. You can literally say that politically the ADC has put us in a position where one leg is already in the presidential villa,” he said.
He noted that Obi did not join alone, but came with Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe, other legislators, and former governors. “It is a sign of victory for the coalition party,” Salihu added.
With Obi’s defection, ADC leaders and supporters believe the coalition party has gained significant momentum heading into the next election cycle. As Salihu put it: “Politically, the ADC has put us in a position where one leg is already in the presidential villa.”
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