Peter Obi, the Labour Party's 2023 presidential candidate, formally announced his defection to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, in Enugu. This move signals his intention to contest the 2027 Nigerian presidential election and is framed by Obi as a crucial step in a broader national mission to unite opposition forces. Speaking at the Nike Lake Resort, Obi painted a grim picture of Nigeria, stating the nation is being “looted into poverty” and is “severely betrayed,” with over 130 million people in multidimensional poverty and more than 80 million youths unemployed. He accused the political elite of exploiting ethnic and religious divisions to maintain power, warning against attempts to rig the 2027 polls and emphasizing the non-negotiability of electoral system reforms. Obi also criticized recent tax reforms as “anti-people and economically counterproductive,” raising concerns about a forged tax law setting a “dangerous precedent.” He called upon his political associates, the Obidient Movement, and opposition leaders nationwide to join the ADC coalition, asserting that “history will not forgive silence in moments of national peril.”

The Labour Party (LP) reacted strongly to Obi's defection, describing it as a “liberation” and a “blessing.” In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, the LP leadership apologized to Nigerians for what it termed a “greatest political mistake” in presenting Obi as its 2023 presidential candidate, stating that time had proven him an “unfitting” choice. The party claimed to have parted ways with Obi and some of his supporters in the National Assembly as early as September 2024. The LP also accused Obi and Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, of sponsoring an “insurrection” against the Julius Abure-led leadership. They criticized the Enugu defection event, alleging it was largely boycotted by prominent political and traditional institutions in the South East, and that those present were “political spent forces.” The LP warned that any future presidential or vice-presidential ambition for Obi was a “failed project” and blamed him for the South East’s political marginalization under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration following the 2023 elections, citing disparities in ministerial appointments and infrastructure allocation.

Meanwhile, the Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) also weighed in, criticizing Obi’s defection as a “politically calculated” move rather than a genuine ideological realignment. The Lagos APC described the move as the “public activation of a coalition forged in grievance, sustained by falsehood, and animated by an unhealthy appetite for national dislocation.” They characterized Obi’s frequent party switches as “convenience politics masquerading as principle” and dubbed the ADC a “political scrapyard” for “rejected ambitions, electoral failures, and serial aspirants.” The APC defended President Tinubu's administration, highlighting its focus on economic stabilization and institutional reforms, while criticizing the opposition's reliance on misinformation and pessimism. The party reiterated its confidence in the “Renewed Hope Agenda,” asserting that Nigerians would reject “politics of disruption” in favor of governance and stability.

Conversely, Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 presidential candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and an existing member of the ADC, warmly welcomed Peter Obi. In posts on his Facebook page and X, Atiku described Obi’s defection as a “significant moment in the history of political coalition” in Nigeria. Expressing his pleasure to officially welcome Obi, whom he called “my brother and associate,” Atiku affirmed his readiness to work closely with him to foster a “robust working relationship” aimed at building a strong and united opposition capable of forming a government focused on bringing prosperity and peace to Nigerians. Atiku, who is also seeking the ADC’s 2027 presidential ticket, expressed hope that Obi’s entry into the party in Enugu would inspire other patriots in the South East to join the ADC coalition as it expands across the country. Obi previously served as Atiku’s running mate in the 2019 presidential election under the PDP platform.