The All Progressives Congress (APC) has restated its confidence in President Bola Tinubu’s chances of securing re-election in 2027, even as former presidential candidate Peter Obi has left the Labour Party (LP) for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Peter Obi announced his defection on Wednesday at the Nike Lake Resort in Enugu urging Nigerians and other opposition to rally around under the ADC to “rescue Nigeria from poverty, disunity and democratic decline.”
The former LP flagbearer had earlier joined other opposition leaders in July to unveil the ADC as a jointure platform aimed at challenging President Tinubu and the APC in the 2027 polls.
The ADC has continued to project itself as a formidable opposition force ahead of the election through the leadership of former Senate President David Mark as national chairman and ex-Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola as national secretary
Even before Obi formally joined the party, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, had confirmed his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election, after defection to the ADC
Likewise, former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, who joined the ADC in July, announced on August 28 that he would also like to run for Presidential election through the party
“This decision is guided solely by patriotism and national interest. I therefore 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 speaking on why he left Labour Party
Obi stated that Nigeria had reached a critical point and could no longer afford divisive politics.
“As the year 2025 ends today, we stand on the threshold of a new beginning. In moments of deep national challenge, clarity of purpose and decisive action are required. That moment is now,” he stated.
He painted a grim picture of the country’s situation, citing widespread poverty, unemployment and insecurity.
According to him, “With over 130 million Nigerians living in multidimensional poverty and more than 80 million youths unemployed, our people are in constant agony. This is not the destiny God intended for over 220 million Nigerians. Nigeria is looted into poverty.”
“Nigeria is not poor; Nigeria is looted into poverty. Nigeria is not broken; Nigeria is profoundly betrayed. The average Nigerian is neither lazy nor incompetent, but the system is designed to reward mediocrity and recycle failure,” he said arguing instead that they were the result of leadership failure rather than a lack of resources.
“Their strength lies in creating divisions to keep themselves in office, with little concern for unity or inclusive development,” Obi said further accusing the political elite of deliberately exploiting ethnic and religious divisions to retain power.
The former governor also issued a strong warning on the credibility of future elections, stressing the need for electoral reforms and cautioning against any attempt to manipulate the 2027 polls.
