2023 Labour Party (LP) Presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has announced his resignation from the African Democratic Congress (ADC), citing persistent internal crises and a political environment he described as increasingly hostile to genuine reform.
Speaking in a statement issued on Sunday, Obi said his decision followed deep personal reflection, noting that the current political climate has made it difficult to pursue meaningful service.
He highlighted what he described as systemic challenges, including intimidation, insecurity, and a culture that often discourages integrity and fairness.
Obi clarified that his departure was not due to any personal grievances against party leaders, including former Senate President David Mark and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, whom he described as respected figures.
According to him, the same forces that destabilised his previous political platform appear to be emerging within the ADC, manifesting in internal disputes, legal battles, and divisions.
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“We now live in an environment that has become increasingly toxic, where the very system that should protect and create opportunities for decent living often works against the people.
“The same Nigerian state and its agents that created unnecessary crises and hostility… now appear to be finding their way into the ADC, with endless court cases, internal battles, suspicion, and division,” he said.
The former Anambra State governor also lamented what he described as a broader societal decline, where humility and compassion are often misinterpreted as weakness, and where sincere efforts are undervalued.
He noted that even within political structures, individuals committed to service can become targets of criticism and exclusion.
Despite his exit, Obi reaffirmed his commitment to national development, stressing that his political ambition is driven by a desire to improve the welfare of Nigerians rather than a quest for power.
“I am not desperate to be President… I am desperate to see a society that can console a mother whose child has been kidnapped or killed,” he said.
Obi expressed optimism about Nigeria’s future, maintaining that the country can still achieve progress through competent leadership grounded in justice, compassion, and accountability.
His resignation adds a new dimension to the evolving dynamics within the opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections, particularly as the ADC continues to grapple with internal leadership disputes and realignments.
