Former presidential candidate Peter Obi is poised to defect to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of the 2027 elections, with plans for a formal declaration rally in the southeastern city of Enugu on December 31, a senior party official revealed on Sunday.
The move follows weeks of consultations, including a recent meeting between Obi and ADC National Chairman David Mark, amid the party’s efforts to strengthen its position through membership drives and upcoming conventions.
An ADC insider in Abuja confirmed the arrangements, telling local media: “We are aware that Peter Obi is making plans to declare for the ADC on December 31 in Enugu. Although he has yet to formally inform the party, the plans are genuine.”
Explaining the choice of venue, the source added: “Enugu is the political capital of the South-East. Obi is representing the region, not just his state. That must have informed his decision.”
ADC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi acknowledged ongoing talks but stopped short of confirmation, stating: “The point is that there is no official announcement yet. But consultations are ongoing.”
Dr Yunusa Tanko, national coordinator of the Obidient Movement supporting Obi, declined to address the speculation directly, insisting: “Only Obi could speak on it.”
Obi’s current party, the Labour Party (LP), minimized the potential departure, with National Publicity Secretary Obiora Ifoh saying: “We cannot fully comment on that until we hear from Obi. As we normally say, anybody can defect from anywhere to anywhere. It is normal in Nigerian politics. Labour Party doesn’t see it as a big deal.”
Ifoh suggested Obi should resolve internal disputes instead, adding: “But the wisest thing for him to do is to stay back and work with the party that gave him the spread he got in 2023. He should try to reconcile with the party leadership and move on from there. But if he prefers to jump from one party to another, we wish him all the best.”
Meanwhile, the ADC is gearing up for a mid-2026 national convention to select its presidential flagbearer, as part of a strategy to expand its base and prepare for the polls.
Abdullahi outlined the timeline, saying: “Don’t forget that by June or July, at the latest, we must have a presidential candidate. That will also add to the momentum and redraw the political dynamic.”
He further detailed: “Once a presidential candidate emerges and you see people also coming up to contest the governorship election, it will change the momentum.”
The party anticipates two conventions next year, with Abdullahi noting: “We will have the first convention to ratify the decisions that the NEC has taken this year. We will have another one to decide our next presidential candidate. That will come towards the middle of the year. But I cannot give you a definite date for now.”
Obi’s potential switch comes after the ADC urged him to clarify his intentions following his earlier description of the party as unstable, highlighting shifting alliances in Nigeria’s opposition landscape.
