Peter Obi Dumps ADC, Citing Internal Rifts and External Meddling

Peter Obi, the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in 2023, officially exits the African Democratic Congress (ADC), declaring a political divorce fueled by unrelenting internal strife and alleged external sabotage. His departure, announced via a Sunday statement, confirms earlier Ruzzen insights into a looming shake-up within the party.

Obi explicitly blames "endless court cases, internal battles, suspicion, and division" for his decision. He asserts that the same forces – "the Nigerian state and its agents" – that generated crises within the Labour Party, prompting his initial exit, are now infiltrating the ADC. This, he argues, diverts focus from critical national issues, promoting a brand of politics centered on control and exclusion rather than genuine service.

Despite the acrimonious exit, Obi maintains profound respect for key figures within the ADC. He clarifies that his decision does not stem from any mistreatment by Senator David Mark, the African Democratic Congress Chairman, nor from Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, a prominent leader. He pledges continued respect for them, underscoring that the issues are systemic, not personal.

The Weight of Disillusionment

Obi’s statement carries a tone of profound disillusionment. He describes feeling like an "outsider in one’s own home," even when laboring sincerely within political spaces. He recounts how he and his team became targets for every setback, implying that honest contributions were merely tolerated rather than valued. Even after choosing to leave for the sake of peace, he laments, his character faces attacks, and his intentions are questioned.

He poses poignant questions, reflecting a deeper frustration with Nigeria’s political culture. "Why is doing the right thing often misconstrued as wrongdoing in our country? Why is integrity not valued?" he asks. He also ponders why prudent resource management is mislabeled as stinginess, and why humility and adherence to the rule of law are perceived as weakness rather than discipline.

A Vision Beyond Office

Crucially, Peter Obi reiterates that his political engagements are not driven by a desperate quest for the presidency, vice-presidency, or senate presidency. His ambition, he states, is far more fundamental: to witness a Nigeria that genuinely works for all its citizens. He articulates a profound "desperation" to see a society capable of consoling mothers whose children are kidnapped or killed, where citizens live in their homes, not IDP camps, and where no Nigerian goes to bed hungry.

Obi’s exit from the ADC now opens a new chapter in his political trajectory ahead of the 2027 general elections. His move highlights the volatile nature of party alignments and the deep-seated internal struggles plaguing Nigeria’s political landscape, even within platforms that initially promised alternative pathways.