Former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, and ex-Kano State governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, have exited the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and aligned with the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), signalling a new twist in the country’s evolving political landscape.
The development follows growing internal disputes and legal uncertainties within the ADC, alongside ongoing consultations among key opposition figures seeking a new platform ahead of future elections.
In an earlier message, Obi spoke on the pressures within the political space and his personal experiences, stating, “Many people do not truly understand the silent pains some of us carry daily—the private struggles, emotional burdens, and quiet battles we face while trying to survive and serve sincerely in difficult circumstances.
“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—a society where intimidation, insecurity, endless scrutiny, and discouragement have become normal.”
He also addressed his decision to leave, distancing prominent figures from blame. “Let me state clearly: my decision to leave the ADC is not because our highly respected Chairman, Senator David Mark, treated me badly, nor because my leader and elder brother, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, or any other respected leaders did anything personally wrong to me. I will continue to respect them.”
Obi pointed to recurring instability within party structures, saying, “the same Nigerian state and its agents that created unnecessary crises and hostility within the Labour Party that forced me to leave now appear to be finding their way into the ADC, with endless court cases, internal battles, suspicion, and division.”
On his ambition, he added, “Let me assure all that I am not desperate to be President, Vice President, or Senate President. I am desperate to see a society that can console a mother whose child has been kidnapped or killed while going to school or work.”
He maintained his belief in national renewal, stating, “Yet, despite everything, I remain resolute. I firmly believe that Nigeria can still become a country with competent leadership based on justice, compassion, and equal opportunity for all.”
The shift by Obi and Kwankwaso is expected to reshape opposition alignments, with political observers watching how the NDC positions itself as a rallying point for emerging coalitions.