On Wednesday, December 31, 2025, Mr. Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party Presidential Candidate, officially joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
His official announcement occurred at the Nike Lake Resort in Enugu, during an event that attracted numerous prominent political figures, statesmen, and members of the Obidient movement.
Among the attendees were former Senate President David Mark; Chief Simeon Okeke; former governors Achike Udenwa and Sam Egwu; Okwesilieze Nwodo; Senator Aminu Tambuwal; High Chief Ben Obi; Emeka Ihedioha; Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe; Professor Oserheimen Osunbor; Senator Victor Umeh; ADC Founder, Chief Ralph Nwosu; former Minister Dr. Josephine Anenih; Senator Tony Nwoye; Hon. Afam Ogene; Senator Gilbert Nnaji; Chief Onyema Ugochukwu; Professor Osita Ogbu; Hon. Idu Emeka; Hon. Peter Aniekwe; Hon. Oby Orogbu; Hon. Nonso Smart; and Barrister Chinedu Idigo.
Additionally, attendees included Professor Chinyere Stella Okunna, Chief Fidel Okafor, Hon. Barrister Joe-Martins Uzodike, Professor Patrick Obi, Hon. Onyeanwuna Ezeani, and Professor Pat Utomi, along with representatives of the Obidient Movement, led by Dr. Yunusa Tanko, among many others who overflowed outside the venue.
Their attendance highlighted the extensive nature of the National Opposition coalition and the ADC-led initiative for democratic renewal.
The event was moderated by Senator Victor Umeh, with Chief Simeon Okeke acting as chairman. Chief Okeke emphasized the historical importance of Enugu as the capital of the former Eastern Region, urging the Igbos to promote the message of unity and progress.
In his address, Obi informed the audience that Nigeria has arrived at a pivotal juncture necessitating clarity of purpose, bravery, and decisive collective action.
He stated that as 2025 approaches, the nation must initiate a new quest for genuine independence, based on self-determination, human equality, and national unity.
He criticized a small political elite for seizing control of state institutions and diverting them from their duty to the Nigerian populace, pointing out that many former beneficiaries of democratic governance have become complicit in electoral injustices and the degradation of democratic principles.
He cautioned that any efforts to manipulate or rig upcoming elections would be met with lawful and legitimate resistance, emphasizing that the will of the Nigerian people is sacred and non-negotiable.
Obi urged immediate reforms in the electoral process, which include fortifying the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), strict compliance with electoral laws, transparent result transmission, and credible elections in 2027 as essential measures to restore public confidence and ensure responsive governance.
Characterizing Nigeria as a nation in severe distress, Obi highlighted widespread poverty, youth unemployment, insecurity, and increasing disunity as indicators of governance failure.
He remarked that over 130 million Nigerians are living in multidimensional poverty, while millions of young individuals remain jobless, leading to frustration and despair.
Despite these obstacles, he expressed hope that Nigeria could be transformed into a functional, productive, and inclusive society.
Obi contended that Nigeria’s core issue is not the scarcity of human or natural resources, but rather a deficiency in leadership and unity. He denounced a political class that flourishes on division, rewards mediocrity, and thrives on corruption, emphasizing that ordinary Nigerians are neither indolent nor inept, but rather hindered by a system designed against merit and diligence. By drawing parallels with Rwanda and Indonesia, he underscored how countries with limited resources have attained significant socio-economic advancement through principled leadership, national consensus, and efficient resource management.
Obi further criticized the existing fiscal policies, particularly the ongoing debates regarding tax legislation, asserting that taxation should benefit citizens instead of exacerbating poverty. He cautioned that taxing the impoverished erodes national unity and fails to generate wealth for the populace.
In his remarks, Chief Ben Obi stressed that extensive consultations throughout the nation had revealed an urgent demand for credible leadership, characterizing the establishment of a new Igbo political bloc as a patriotic endeavor aimed at liberating the country from indifferent leaders.
Meanwhile, Senator Victor Umeh declared that all members of the Labour Party, including Peter Obi, had officially resigned from the party to join the ADC. Subsequently, the former governor of Imo State, Emeka Ihedioha, proposed a motion for all National Assembly members present to follow Obi into the ADC. This motion, which was seconded by Prof. Osita Ogbu, was adopted unanimously.
During the event, civil society activist Aisha Yusuf expressed her desire to officially join the ADC, while Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe announced his departure from APGA and committed his full allegiance to the ADC, referring to Obi as his political leader.
“As of now, I am completely with ADC. Following my brother and our leader, Mr. Peter Obi, I wish everyone well, and I am confident that we will succeed,” he remarked.
Reflecting on a past media discussion, the former Senate Minority Leader stated that he has always maintained that significant change can only be achieved through collective efforts.
“In my last interview, when asked how I believe change will occur, I responded, Mboru. Every woman understands what Mboru signifies. Now it’s Mboru,” Abaribe noted, eliciting applause from the audience.
Abaribe further characterized the ADC as a platform for a comprehensive political movement aimed at addressing Nigeria’s issues and displacing the current ruling party.
“When the time arrives, we will all join ADC, and we will eradicate the cancer that has plagued Nigeria since 2015,” he asserted.
In a critique of the All Progressives Congress, the senator remarked, “We will eliminate that party which promised change but instead brought death and devastation to Nigeria.”
In his address, former Senate President Sen. David Mark, who is also the Chairman of the ADC, emphasized the party’s foundational principles of equality, justice, and progressiveness. He commended the support from the South-East and assured that the party would maintain internal democracy, respect its members, generate employment, and provide effective and inclusive leadership.
The occasion represented a significant move towards national unity and transformation, with all speakers acknowledging Obi as their leader. Former governors, legislators, and community leaders publicly affirmed their support, indicating a united front to liberate Nigeria from ineffective governance and foster credible, youth-oriented leadership.
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