The defection of the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has begun to significantly boost the party’s political profile in the South, with no fewer than eight federal lawmakers reportedly set to formally join the party.
Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, officially joined the ADC in Enugu on Wednesday, urging Nigerians and opposition forces to unite under a broad national coalition to “rescue Nigeria from poverty, disunity and democratic decline.”
Explaining his exit from the Labour Party, Obi said his decision was guided by patriotism and national interest, insisting that the moment demanded collective action against the ruling All Progressives Congress (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,” Obi said.
In a post on his verified X handle later on Wednesday, Obi disclosed that three serving senators and several members of the House of Representatives attended his defection ceremony, signalling their readiness to align with the ADC.
According to him, senators present included Enyinnaya Abaribe, Victor Umeh, Tony Nwoye and Gilbert Nnaji, alongside prominent political figures such as High Chief Ben Obi, Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, Prof. Pat Utomi, Prof. Osita Ogbu and Chief Ralph Nwosu, as well as federal and state lawmakers and community leaders.
Sources at the event told Sunday PUNCH that eight federal lawmakers, including three senators named by Obi, were announced as having collectively defected to the ADC.
The remaining five lawmakers are sitting members of the House of Representatives from Anambra State, who reportedly dumped the Labour Party. They are Afamefuna Ogene (Ogbaru), Oby Orogbu (Awka North/Awka South), Harris Okonkwo (Idemili North/Idemili South), Emeka Godwin (Onitsha North/Onitsha South) and George Ozodinobi (Dunukofia/Njikoka/Anaocha).
However, their defections are yet to be formally announced on the floor of both chambers of the National Assembly.
Speaking with Sunday PUNCH, ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said Obi’s entry into the party had injected fresh momentum into its structure, adding that more federal lawmakers were expected to defect ahead of the 2027 general election.
“Obi’s defection has given traction to the ADC, and we are expecting more quality politicians to join us. Discussions are ongoing and the engagements so far have been positive,” Abdullahi said.
The ADC has, in recent months, positioned itself as a coalition platform to challenge President Bola Tinubu in 2027. The party is currently led by former Senate President David Mark as National Chairman and former Osun State governor Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary.
Before Obi’s formal registration, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who joined the party in November, had confirmed his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election. Former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi, who joined the ADC in July, has also declared his interest in the party’s presidential ticket.
With Atiku, Amaechi and Obi now in the race, the contest for the ADC’s 2027 presidential nomination is expected to intensify.
Meanwhile, Obidient National Leader, Yunusa Tanko, dismissed concerns that defections by governors to the APC could weaken Obi’s electoral chances.
Tanko said Obi remained a popular figure capable of outperforming his 2023 showing, insisting that electoral outcomes were determined by voters, not political officeholders.
“As far as I’m concerned, he is a popular candidate. He will definitely attract more support than he had in 2023,” he said.
According to him, “People want genuine change that can translate into good leadership, and Obi represents that.”