Dare Babalola
Former presidential candidate Peter Obi on Monday said the worsening state of Nigeria and the urgent need to rescue the country informed his decision to leave the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC).
Obi, who formally joined the NDC on Sunday alongside former Kano State governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, said the move was driven by the desire to continue the struggle for a new Nigeria founded on justice, competence, accountability and compassion for ordinary citizens.
In a statement issued on Monday, Obi said the decision was not motivated by anger, personal ambition or political convenience.
“This decision was not made out of anger, personal ambition, or convenience. It came after deep reflection on the present condition of our nation and the urgent need to rescue Nigeria from the dangerous path it is currently heading,” he said.
The former Anambra State governor said politics must remain about the welfare of the people rather than personal gain or positions, lamenting that many Nigerians could no longer afford basic necessities.
He noted that businesses were collapsing, children were losing hope and the future of many citizens was becoming uncertain.
Obi also said he left the ADC for reasons similar to his exit from the Labour Party, alleging that internal crises and litigation were deliberately orchestrated to weaken opposition participation in the electoral process.
“I left the ADC for the same reason I left the Labour Party: the severe, orchestrated litigation and internal crises deliberately designed to ensure that I, alongside many other notable individuals, do not effectively participate in the electoral process,” he stated.
Despite his exit, Obi expressed gratitude to the ADC leadership for the opportunity to work within the party.
He specifically commended ADC Chairman, Senator David Mark, for what he described as exceptional leadership, while also appreciating former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and other leaders of the party.
The former governor warned against the use of unresolved court cases and internal crises to destabilise opposition parties, saying democracy must never be turned into a weapon against the people.
“A healthy democracy thrives on strong institutions, credible alternatives, and the freedom of citizens to make choices without intimidation, manipulation, or fear,” Obi said.
Speaking on the country’s current challenges, he said poverty, hunger and insecurity were worsening, while businesses continued to shut down daily.
According to him, many young people had become discouraged and citizens were increasingly losing faith in the system.
He maintained that leadership at such a time must be based on competence, capacity, character and compassion rather than propaganda or division.
Obi said his move to the NDC was not a departure from his values but a continuation of the same mission he had always stood for.
“Our decision to join the NDC is therefore not an abandonment of values, but a continuation of the same mission we have always stood for: building a Nigeria where leadership is about service,” he added.
He pledged to continue working with Nigerians across political, ethnic and religious lines, insisting that rebuilding the country was bigger than any individual or political party.
Obi also thanked Nigerians, especially youths and women, for remaining peaceful and resilient despite the country’s challenges, urging them not to lose hope in the nation.
