Peter Obi, former presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), has confirmed his alignment with the African Democratic Congress (ADC)-led opposition coalition, saying the decision followed deep reflection on Nigeria’s current challenges and the urgency for collective action.
Obi made the comments following the official unveiling of the ADC as the political platform adopted by the coalition ahead of the 2027 general election. The event, held at the Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja, brought together a range of opposition leaders and former public officials from the LP, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Social Democratic Party (SDP), and other political blocs.
“This decision was not made lightly,” Obi wrote in a statement shared on his X (formerly Twitter) page. “It comes from deep reflection on where we are as a country and what must be done to move forward. No one group can change Nigeria alone. To dismantle the structures that keep our people in poverty and insecurity, we must build bridges, not walls—even when those bridges are uneasy.”
Obi said the coalition is committed to providing Nigeria with “competent, capable and compassionate” leadership in 2027, adding that the country’s welfare must be prioritised.
Wednesday’s unveiling of the coalition platform was initially scheduled to hold at the Wells Carlton Hotel in Abuja, but the hotel reportedly withdrew from hosting the event, citing “an internal compliance matter.” The venue was moved to the Yar’Adua Centre hours before the start.
Among those present at the event were former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai, former minister Solomon Dalung, former senators Gabriel Suswam and Dino Melaye, and LP senator Ireti Kingibe. Others included Rotimi Amaechi, Emeka Ihedioha, Dele Momodu, and Aminu Tambuwal.
Former Senate President David Mark was named interim national chairman of the ADC, while former Osun Governor Rauf Aregbesola was announced as interim national secretary.
In a separate appearance earlier this week, Obi reiterated his commitment to Nigeria’s zoning arrangement, stating that any presidential candidate from the South elected in 2027 must be prepared to serve only one term, ending in 2031.
“If that arrangement is to be followed strictly, you would see that anybody, not just me, who happens to come from the South as president in 2027 must be ready to leave on the 28th of May, 2031,” he said during a Twitter Space session on Sunday.
Obi added that he has always supported zoning as a principle, referencing his time as governor of Anambra State, where he enforced rotational governance.
He stressed that character and integrity, rather than the pursuit of office, guide his decisions. “I am not desperate to be president of Nigeria. If I have the opportunity and if the opportunity is for two years, in two years, I would be able to bring competency, capacity, and compassion into governance,” he said.
