₦airaland Forum

Obi set to join ADC as party plans convention

Ismaeel Uthman and Adebayo Folorunsho-Francis
December 28, 2025 12:00 am

A former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, is set to formally join the African Democratic Congress amid ongoing consultations ahead of the 2027 general elections.

A principal official of the party in Abuja told Sunday PUNCH that Obi had concluded plans to join the party and hold a declaration rally in Enugu, the political capital of the South-East, on December 31.

According to the official, Obi’s supporters and loyalists have begun arrangements for the defection.

The source disclosed that Obi, after the ADC asked him to make up his mind on joining the party about three weeks ago, met with the National Chairman of the party, David Mark, to renew his allegiance to the coalition.


He said the party’s position might have convinced the former Anambra State governor to finally decide to join the ADC.

On December 7, the ADC, while reacting to a statement credited to Obi in which he described the party as unstable, told the presidential hopeful to make up his mind on whether or not to join the coalition.

Speaking with Sunday PUNCH, the party source said, “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.”

Asked why Obi would prefer to declare for the coalition in Enugu instead of Anambra, his home state, the party official said, “Enugu is the political capital of the South-East. Obi is representing the region, not just his state. That must have informed his decision.”

But the ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said he could not confirm Obi’s planned defection.

“The point is that there is no official announcement yet. But consultations are ongoing,” he said.

Similarly, the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, Dr Yunusa Tanko, declined to comment directly on the matter, insisting that only Obi could speak on it.

But the Julius Abure-led National Working Committee of the Labour Party has downplayed Obi’s planned defection.

The National Publicity Secretary of the LP, Obiora Ifoh, in an interview with Sunday PUNCH, said the party would refrain from making any definitive pronouncement on the matter until Obi personally speaks on it.

He said, “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.”


According to Ifoh, any decision by Obi to leave the party would be driven by personal ambition rather than institutional failure, adding that the Labour Party would continue to thrive regardless.

While reiterating that the party harboured no ill feelings, the LP spokesman said it would have been preferable for Obi to remain within the fold and work through any disagreements internally.

He said, “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.”

ADC plans convention to pick presidential candidate

Meanwhile, the ADC will hold its national convention mid-2026 as part of broader efforts to reposition the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The party spokesman, Abdullahi, who disclosed this to one of our correspondents on Saturday, said the party was currently focused on nationwide mobilisation, membership expansion and internal consolidation.

He said the immediate priority of the party was to build a “solid organisational framework” across the country, stressing that ongoing membership registration would form the foundation for future congresses and conventions.

He explained that 2026 would be a defining year for the party, particularly as preparations for the selection of a presidential candidate would significantly alter the political landscape and energise party activities nationwide.

He said, “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.

“Once a presidential candidate emerges and you see people also coming up to contest the governorship election, it will change the momentum,” he stated.

According to him, the current pace of political activity within the party should not be mistaken for a lack of preparedness, as election-year dynamics typically trigger heightened engagement.

On whether a specific date had been fixed for the ADC’s national convention, Abdullahi said discussions were ongoing but clarified that the party planned to hold two conventions in 2026.

“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,” he said.

https://punchng.com/obi-set-to-join-adc-as-party-plans-convention/


Previous threads:

Peter Obi Will Make An Announcement In January
https://www.nairaland.com/8580896/peter-obi-make-announcement-january

Oseloka Henry Obaze worked in Nigeria's diplomatic service and then worked for the United Nations from 1991 till 2012. In 2012 he became the secretary to the Anambra State Government in the administration of Governor Peter Obi.

He contested the 2017 Anambra State governorship election on the platform of the PDP and he was supported by Mr Peter Obi.

Oseloka Obaze was a member of Peter Obi's presidential campaign council ahead of the 2023 presidential election.

He left the Labour Party 8 months ago and disengaged from politics.

Oseloka H. Obaze (OHO) @OselokaHObaze

Eight months ago, I disengaged from partisan politics and from my erstwhile political party on grounds of principles. Today, I wish to announce that I'm now a proud card-carrying member of ADC. We walk the talk. We must Rethink and Reunite Nigeria. Much work lies ahead. -OHO

https://x.com/i/status/2005405696226210049

Bashir Ahmad, OON @BashirAhmaad

So Peter Obi’s supporters are now confirming that he is joining the ADC. I remember when I first mentioned this about two months ago, his people were all over me, disputing it and insisting that Peter would not leave the Labour Party. Next, they will come here again to confirm that he has agreed to deputize Atiku Abubakar. By Allah’s grace, we will be alive to see it all unfold.

https://x.com/i/status/2005254745569513708

Jamilu Sufi🇳🇬 @JamiluSufi

Dear Nigerians, I present to you H.E. Peter Gregory Obi for PRESIDENT 2027.

A president who won’t outsource our security or act on bad intelligence. Peter Obi will act decisively, lawfully, and with precision, protecting civilians while dismantling terror.

Enough of drift and delay.

VOTE OUT SLEEPY BAT. VOTE IN OPTION A.

https://x.com/i/status/2004556901275582793

Ibrahim H. Abdulkarim @ziter001

He's one of the founding members of the coalition from day one. Peter Obi participated in all the meetings of the coalition. He's satisfied that things are going to be done differently, and the core principle is to serve Nigerians, not to grab power for any group. Nigeria needs a unifying and rejigged leadership to set Nigeria in a new direction. With Peter Obi; A New Nigeria is POssible ✅️

https://x.com/i/status/2005215189902266790

Peter Obi to ADC. +6

Kwankwaso to APC +2

====================
Atiku + Peter Obi = 6.9 + 6.1 = 13 million votes ✔️
(winner)

Tinubu + Kwankwaso = 8.7 + 2.2 = 11 million votes 🚫
(second place)


Note: I decided not to add or subtract vote from anyone despite the following:

Tinubu failed woefully on economy and security so the “Lagos builder” rhetoric has expired, people have seen him for who he is. 70% of Tinubu’s votes in 2023 came from Buhari. With Buhari’s passing, those 5.5 million votes are expected to be split between mostly Kwankwaso, Atiku, and Tinubu.

Peter Obi on the other hand has gained respect from many. Despite the result of the 2023 election, he didn’t retire to tha background waiting for the next election, he engaged in philanthropy and went about building bridges across the country.

Atiku has managed to stay under the radar, preferring to do groundwork politics behind the scenes.

Kwankwaso has maintained his lane and stronghold.

Shettima has been somewhat missing in action.

Yes Obi is joining ADC formally soon.

We pray Atiku and his brethren keep to the agreements and terms to ensure this union births a truly new Nigeria of our dreams and not just to grab power like APC did in 2015 using lies and propaganda, which brought us where we are today being referred to as "that disgraced country"

Anywhere Peter Obi goes, we will follow him.

So labour party is gone??
Just labours in vain
Elected candidate, don moved to APC

does he want to continue like this till old age....??

But his plan to contest his next election will not be possible as Atiku isn't backing down same with Ameachi.

Even though, PO is not relevant recently, reacting carelessly over any policy designed by this administration expecting it to go south when in real sense it'soving well...


Some Nigerians are buying fuel at N900+ when they should be buying it at N739 due to the recent decrease from Dangote.

Transportation companies hiked their transport fare, making traveling difficult when there's been no fuel price increment.... Obi didn't react to that nor ask his followers to boycott or call out marketers selling fuel above N800...

Seems he doesn't react to anything good...

2027 election🗳️ will b interesting

LagosOrigin:
Anywhere Peter Obi goes, we will follow him.

He is your brother nna na. In fact you're same same in konikoni sense

Okwute Himself. A man of character, principle and conviction. We stand solidly behind you.

Not surprising. Expected by all who know Peter Gregory Obi to be a transactional fellow. He is a political chameleon who cannot be trusted to be stable. He lacks integrity when it comes to politics and the power chase to win the Presidency in Nigeria.

Serial decampee like him mentor Atiku

Anywhere Peter Obi goes ALL NIGERIANS WILL FOLLOW 🤗

A NEW NIGERIA is PO ssible let's all make it happen again and kick this APC out of our lives once and for all

Peter Obi for president any day anytime for all sane Nigerians who want prosperity for the nation

Yes safe trip at least we will focus on ADC now as we dealt with LP and ruined it.

Any party he goes we will ruin it and kill the party we are not forgiving him now not later and not ever.

"We" are waiting patiently for him.

Hello losers a k a political normadics don't ask me who are "we" that word nor concern you.

APC is strongly rooted in Nigeria what will other parties do to stand a chance 🫤

givedemwotowoto:
Peter Obi to ADC. +6

Kwankwaso to APC +2

====================
Atiku + Peter Obi = 6.9 + 6.1 = 13 million votes ✔️
(winner)

Tinubu + Kwankwaso = 8.7 + 2.2 = 11 million votes 🚫
(second place)

Interesting summary but you need to remove a good chunk of Peter Obí votes from SW and SS, say 80%, as they are gone thanks to Obidients tribalistic fervour and general nuisance factor on social media.

Atiku is also going with Amaechi anyway.

Customer dada ni... I hope he won't run away again after primary election

givedemwotowoto:
Peter Obi to ADC. +6

Kwankwaso to APC +2

====================
Atiku + Peter Obi = 6.9 + 6.1 = 13 million votes ✔️
(winner)

Tinubu + Kwankwaso = 8.7 + 2.2 = 11 million votes 🚫
(second place)


Note: I decided not to add or subtract vote from anyone despite the following:

Tinubu failed woefully on economy and security so the “Lagos builder” rhetoric has expired, people have seen him for who he is. 70% of Tinubu’s votes in 2023 came from Buhari. With Buhari’s passing, those 5.5 million votes are expected to be split between mostly Kwankwaso, Atiku, and Tinubu.

Peter Obi on the other hand has gained respect from many. Despite the result of the 2023 election, he didn’t retire to tha background waiting for the next election, he engaged in philanthropy and went about building bridges across the country.

Atiku has managed to stay under the radar, preferring to do groundwork politics behind the scenes.

Kwankwaso has maintained his lane and stronghold.

Shettima has been somewhat missing in action.

You forgot to add that BAT as president = 20 million votes. He was not president in 2023. Una eyes go soon clear.

It's a good and welcome development.

JASONjnr:
But his plan to contest his next election will not be possible as Atiku isn't backing down same with Ameachi.

Even though, PO is not relevant recently, reacting carelessly over any policy designed by this administration expecting it to go south when in real sense it'soving well...


Some Nigerians are buying fuel at N900+ when they should be buying it at N739 due to the recent decrease from Dangote.

Transportation companies hiked their transport fare, making traveling difficult when there's been no fuel price increment.... Obi didn't react to that nor ask his followers to boycott or call out marketers selling fuel above N800...

Seems he doesn't react to anything good...

+
Anyone who says this administration is doing well belongs to one or more of these categories -

1. Has been bought or paid off
2. Hates Nigeria
3. Is irredeemably and satanically sadistic
4. Is ignorant, mediocre and expects little
5. Is tribalist and makes judgements by tribe or religion.
6. Is cognitively dissonant
7. Ignores corruption and abuse of power, celebrates them
8. Hates the rule of law

politically this is peter obi best chance as an opposition figure . he cant go and contest all alone , he will lose woefully . the areas he was able to cover last time was becuase many didst take him serious but now all those holes have been plugged , his best bet is to align with the major opposition party

JASONjnr:
But his plan to contest his next election will not be possible as Atiku isn't backing down same with Ameachi.

Even though, PO is not relevant recently, reacting carelessly over any policy designed by this administration expecting it to go south when in real sense it'soving well...


Some Nigerians are buying fuel at N900+ when they should be buying it at N739 due to the recent decrease from Dangote.

Transportation companies hiked their transport fare, making traveling difficult when there's been no fuel price increment.... Obi didn't react to that nor ask his followers to boycott or call out marketers selling fuel above N800...

Seems he doesn't react to anything good...

Lolzz...so dangote bringing the price of fuel is as a result of what ?Cuz the last time I checked price of crude oil hasn't dropped...now oppositions are meant to continuously constructively criticize governments not praise them

Lol Political hoelow show

That's all he's known for.

Tinubu na man. Made them all jump to his tunes.

A new Nigeria is POssible

Let's see how this goes.

All I know is, APC is running this country because in 2015, Tinubu stepped down for Buhari. Had that not happened, PDP would still be in charge. In my opinion, either Atiku or Obi should have stepped down for each other (preferrably Obi for atiku because the Northerners would have voted for atiku plus obi's substantial vote choice in the middle and south east would have led to APC being kicked out, and tinubu put to pasture. Instead, both went their ways, and Buhari was able to mobilze enough of his supporters for tinubu to make it count)

But the above is split milk, and it is no use crying over it. If the oppostion does not unite, and unite now, APC would still be in charge by 2028. A united oppositon always wins. See Kenya 2002, and Nigeria 2015.

Good. Great decision.Go Papa OSELOKA,