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ADC membership swells after Obi’s defection

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The defection of the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to the African Democratic Congress has begun to boost the party’s political strength in the South, with no fewer than eight federal lawmakers reportedly set to officially join the ADC, barring any last-minute change of plans.

Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, joined the ADC in Enugu on Wednesday, calling on Nigerians and opposition groups to come together under a broad national coalition to “rescue Nigeria from poverty, disunity and democratic decline.”

Explaining his reasons for leaving the LP for the ADC, Obi stated that his decision was driven by patriotism and a desire to rescue Nigeria from the APC.

“This decision is guided solely by patriotism and national interest. I now respectfully call on my political associates, the Obidient Movement and opposition leaders across the country to join this broad national coalition under the African Democratic Congress. History will not forgive silence in moments of national peril,” he said.

In a post shared on his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle on Wednesday night, Obi said three serving senators and several members of the Federal House of Representatives were present at his defection ceremony, signalling their readiness to join the party.

He said, “Notable senators present included Enyinnaya Abaribe, Victor Umeh, Tony Nwoye, and Gilbert Nnaji. Additionally, we had prominent political figures such as High Chief Ben Obi, Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, Prof. Pat Utomi, Prof. Osita Ogbu, Chief Ralph Nwosu, and others, alongside various members of the Federal House of Representatives and State Houses of Assembly, as well as community leaders.”

During the defection ceremony, our correspondent gathered that eight federal lawmakers, including three serving senators mentioned by Obi, were also announced as having collectively defected to the ADC.

The remaining five lawmakers, said to be current House of Representatives members from Anambra State, dumped the Labour Party.

They include Afamefuna Ogene (Ogbaru Federal Constituency), Oby Orogbu (Awka North/Awka South Federal Constituency), and Harris Okonkwo (Idemili North/Idemili South Federal Constituency).

Others are Emeka Godwin (Onitsha North/Onitsha South Federal Constituency) and George Ozodinobi (Dunukofia/Njikoka/Anaocha Federal Constituency).

However, their defections have yet to be formally announced on the floor of both chambers of the National Assembly.

Speaking to our correspondent , ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said Obi’s formal defection had boosted the party’s momentum and more federal lawmakers were likely to join ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

“Obi’s defection has given traction to the ADC, and we are expecting more quality politicians like him to join us. Others should make up their minds on time.

“We are expecting more lawmakers and other political bigwigs. Discussions are ongoing with them, and the engagements have been positive so far. We are expecting them in the next few weeks,” Abdullahi said.

Obi had joined other opposition leaders in July to present the ADC as a coalition platform to challenge President Tinubu in the 2027 election.

Under the leadership of former Senate President David Mark as National Chairman and former Osun State governor Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary, the ADC has been positioning itself as a major opposition party ready to take on the All Progressives Congress in the upcoming poll.

Before Obi officially registered as an ADC member, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who joined the party in November, had confirmed on August 25 that he would contest for the presidency in 2027.

Similarly, former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi, who joined the ADC in July, confirmed on August 28 that he would seek the party’s presidential ticket.

With Atiku, Amaechi, and Obi all expressing their intentions to run, the number of aspirants vying for the ADC’s 2027 presidential nomination has grown significantly.

APC govs can’t stop Obi — ‘Obidient’

Speaking with our correspondent , Obidient National Leader Yunusa Tanko emphasised that Obi’s major aim of joining the ADC was to get the party’s presidential ticket, as his defection would continue to attract a wave of Nigerians to the party.

Tanko noted that the former LP presidential candidate remained popular despite recent defections by governors to the ruling APC.

He also dismissed concerns that defections by governors in the South-East could weaken Obi’s electoral strength ahead of 2027, describing the former Anambra State governor as a popular candidate capable of outperforming his 2023 showing.

“As far as I’m concerned, he is a popular candidate. He will definitely be able to attract more than what he had in 2023,” he stated.

He argued that electoral outcomes were driven more by the people than by political officeholders, saying, “People want change, genuine change that can translate into good leadership in this country, and Obi represents that.”

Tanko added that governors could not determine voting patterns on their own, as the votes would come from the people, whom he claimed wanted Obi as their next leader.

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Obi urges issue-based campaigns

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Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has urged the media to demand issue-based campaigns from politicians ahead of the 2027 general elections, rather than allowing character assassination and name-calling to dominate political discourse.

Obi made the call on Friday at the 22nd All Nigeria Editors Conference in Enugu, urging journalists to use their position as managers of information to promote campaigns focused on good governance, unity, security and prosperity.

He said the media should challenge politicians who deviated from issue-based campaigns or attempted to prevent opponents from campaigning.

Obi said, “As we approach the election, I have only one thing I will plead that you include in your discussion. We made a choice to be a democratic country, and that choice is a choice that can help our country to grow.

“It is important that you help us, the politicians, to ensure that as we approach the election, our discussions, our campaigns, everything we do, is strictly based on issues that will bring good governance, unity, security and prosperity to the country.”

The former Anambra State governor also called for an environment conducive for political parties and candidates to campaign freely.

Obi recalled that political opponents were allowed to campaign in Anambra during his tenure as governor, citing visits by former Lagos State governor, Babatunde Fashola, former President Olusegun Obasanjo and former Abia State governor, Orji Uzor Kalu.

He said Fashola campaigned for Chris Ngige, while Obasanjo campaigned for Andy Uba and Kalu for Uche Ekwunife.

According to Obi, the campaigns did not result in confrontations because the people were allowed to make their choices.

“So we need that conducive environment to campaign as a country, to make it work,” he said.

Obi also dismissed reports of a disagreement between him and the Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, describing the governor as his “respected elder brother.”

He said their relationship had remained cordial despite differences over issues concerning the state. He added that he and his wife were godparents to Soludo’s children.

“Me and Soludo are close. As a banker, he was my customer. And we have not changed. If I see him, I greet him, I respect his office he’s the governor,” Obi said.

“So, we’re not quarrelling! And we will never quarrel! If I see him any day, me and him will hug and everything,” he said.

Obi also defended his record on Anambra’s finances, disputing claims about the debt allegedly left by his administration.

He said Anambra’s external debt stood at about $18m when he assumed office and about $30m when he left in March 2014.

Obi further claimed that he left more than $150m in investments for the state when he left office. His position is that development facilities attributed to his administration should be assessed based on their approval, drawdown and repayment records.

Meanwhile, a medical practitioner, Dr Richard Okoye of SaveALife Mission Hospital, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, urged Nigerians to pay greater attention to their health amid economic pressures.

Speaking at the conference, Okoye identified stress, hypertension and diabetes as major health concerns and advised Nigerians to undergo regular medical checks even when they felt healthy.

He said untreated hypertension and diabetes could contribute to stroke, heart failure and kidney disease.

Okoye also cautioned against the indiscriminate use of sexual-enhancement drugs and drinks, urging men to pay attention to their cardiovascular and sexual health.

He advised Nigerians to seek appropriate medical care rather than attributing health problems solely to spiritual causes.

The two-day conference, organised by the Nigerian Guild of Editors, is being held in Enugu under the theme, ‘The Ballot, the Media and the Task of Keeping Democracy Alive’, with a sub-theme focused on detecting and debunking artificial intelligence-generated disinformation ahead of the 2027 election

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Tinubu Is Disconnected From Nigerians – APM

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Anyone who rigs election under me will go to jail — Obi

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Presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has vowed to jail anyone found rigging an election under his administration, saying the punishment would apply even where only one vote was involved.

Obi made the declaration in an interview with ARISE NEWS on Thursday, September 24, 2026, while outlining his position on electoral integrity, opposition politics and democratic governance ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

“I’ve said it, and I’ll say it again: if I am the serving president of this country, whoever rig elections will be in jail. Even for one vote, you will be in jail,” Obi said

He also pledged that political parties, including opposition parties, would not be harassed under his administration, saying his government would involve them in decisions affecting the country.

“No political party will be harassed; we will support them,” he said.

“We will be working with opposition political parties if there’s a matter of state where we have to take a decision, especially in a situation like we find ourselves now. We will invite all opposition.

“It’s a country, everyone is involved, and I want to involve everybody.

Obi said opposition members would also be involved in government decisions when he travels outside the country.

“I will make sure that even if I have to take foreign trips, opposition members will be involved in decisions, because it’s important.

“It’s our country. For our children, we must build a stable, united, and secure country.”

The NDC candidate also said he would remain accessible to Nigerians and prioritise being physically present in the country.

“It doesn’t matter who is in office. I’m telling you that I will offer that.

“Nobody will look for me and say, ‘Where is Peter?’ I won’t be on holiday; I must be in Nigeria.”

Obi also criticised what he described as restrictions placed on his campaign activities in some states, saying political candidates should be allowed to campaign freely regardless of their opponents’ political affiliations.

He said his appeal was not limited to his own candidacy but was aimed at protecting the democratic space.

“That’s it—to ensure that Nigeria works for the future of our children.”

Obi recalled that, as governor of Anambra State, he allowed political opponents to campaign in the state and provided facilities for them.

“When Governor Fashola of Lagos State told me he was coming to Anambra State, Charles, I gave him my car—it was my convoy that he used to go for that campaign.”

He also recalled accompanying former President Olusegun Obasanjo when he campaigned for another candidate in Anambra State.

“As governor of the state, when President Obasanjo came to campaign for Andy, I went with him.

“He was there telling people, ‘Peter has done well, but this man will do better.’ No problem!”

Obi similarly recalled providing lunch for former Abia State Governor Orji Uzor Kalu when he campaigned for Uche Ekwunife.

“After my lunch, standing in front of me with Uche Ekwunife, he told the press people, ‘Peter has done well, but Uche will do better.’

“That’s democracy, because I wanted the people to vote. There was no issue.”

Anambra debt dispute

On the dispute over his record as former Anambra governor, Obi rejected claims that he left the state with $123m in debt, insisting that he did not borrow money from any financial institution during his tenure.

“Let me categorically state again: I, Mr. Peter Obi, did not approach any financial institution to borrow money or issue bonds on behalf of Anambra State in the eight years that I was in government.”

He said the state was not owing salaries, gratuities, pensions, contractors or suppliers whose jobs had been completed, certified and verified when he left office.

Obi also said the World Bank and International Fund for Agricultural Development facilities referenced in the debt claims were concessionary development support obtained by the Federal Government and subsequently on-lent to qualifying states.

He said Anambra’s foreign debt was about $18m when he assumed office and about $30m when he left office in March 2014.

According to Obi, the state’s financial position at the time included more than $150m in dollar-denominated savings invested in bonds, which he said generated about $10m annually.

He argued that even if the debt figure being claimed by the state government were accepted, the funds he left behind would have been sufficient to clear the obligation.

Obi also presented what he described as his handover document, urging ARISE NEWS to verify the figures with the World Bank and Nigerian banks.

“Please publish these documents. I’m urging you, please.

“The World Bank is in Abuja; they can give you the history of the drawdowns. The banks mentioned here are Nigerian banks; you have access to their headquarters. Ask them whether this money was there.

Obi speaks on Soludo, Tinubu

On his relationship with Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo, Obi said he had no dispute with the governor.

“I don’t have any dispute, talk less of being bitter, with my very respected elder brother, Governor Soludo.

“We remain brothers. He’s the governor of my state, and I respect him.”

Obi also criticised President Bola Tinubu’s absence from Nigeria, saying the President had remained outside the country beyond the period he initially announced.

“The CEO being present is critical at a time of crisis, not delegation.

“Yes, you have a chain of command, but where is the president? Nigerians ought to know.”

Obi rejects reported Kwankwasiyya campaign council

On the Obedient Kwankwasiyya Movement’s reported campaign council, Obi said the group did not have his approval and should operate as a support group rather than a parallel political structure.

“I was not aware, and that’s why I’m disapproving it here.”

The former Anambra governor also expressed openness to discussions on opposition cooperation, including the possibility of a presidential candidate stepping aside as part of efforts to strengthen democratic competition.

“When he comes, I’m not desperate to be president; I’m desperate to see Nigeria work. When he comes, it’s a discussion.”

Obi said opposition parties should focus on ensuring free, fair and credible elections, preventing violence and campaigning on issues affecting ordinary Nigerians.

“What I’m saying is that we should all come together and save democracy, ensure that election is free, fair, and credible, violence-free, and that we campaign on issues affecting ordinary Nigerians.”

In August, Obi defended his political record, saying he had never been involved in election rigging, violence, or any form of malpractice throughout his career.

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