Mr. Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, has made headlines with his strategic move to the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), joining forces with fellow political heavyweight Engr. Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
In a powerful statement on his X handle, Obi declared that this union stems from a profound commitment to save Nigeria from its perilous trajectory, emphasizing justice, competence, accountability, and compassion for everyday citizens.
“The condition of our nation and the urgent need to rescue Nigeria informed my decision to leave ADC for NDC,” Obi explained. He stressed that the choice followed deep reflection amid widespread hardships - families struggling to afford basics, crumbling businesses, and a generation of youth facing dim prospects.
Far from personal ambition, Obi framed the shift as a selfless call to prioritize the people over individual egos or positions.
This isn’t Obi’s first principled pivot; he cited similar orchestrated litigations and internal crises in the ADC and Labour Party that sidelined effective participation in elections.
Yet, his gratitude shines through: he thanked ADC chairman, Senator David Mark, for exemplary leadership, as well as elder statesman Atiku Abubakar and other party leaders for their support in the shared quest for a better Nigeria.
Political observers hail this alliance as a game-changer, injecting fresh momentum into opposition efforts. With Obi and Kwankwaso now aligned under one banner, their combined influence could galvanize voters disillusioned by the status quo, paving the way for the “new Nigeria” they envision - one rooted in service to the masses.
Below is full text of his statement on his recent action
Yesterday, I formally joined the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), alongside my dear brother, Engr. Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, with one clear purpose: to continue the struggle for a new Nigeria built on justice, competence, accountability, and compassion for the ordinary Nigerian.
As I stated yesterday, 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.
Over the years, I have remained steadfast in my conviction that politics should never be about individuals, positions, or personal gain. It must be about the people, especially the millions of Nigerians who today can no longer afford necessities, whose businesses are collapsing, whose children are losing hope, and whose future is becoming increasingly uncertain.
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. I sincerely appreciate and remain deeply grateful to the Leadership of ADC for the opportunity to work together in pursuit of a better Nigeria. I am particularly grateful to ADC chairman Senator David Mark for his exceptional leadership. I also deeply appreciate my leader and elder brother HE, Atiku Abubakar, as well as other respected leaders within the party.
As we join the NDC, I sincerely appeal to the Nigerian government against the encouragement of unresolved litigations and the infusion of crises within political parties. Democracy must never become 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. Opposition parties must not be weakened or destroyed, because when democracy loses balance, the people ultimately suffer.
Nigeria today is passing through one of the most difficult periods in its history. Poverty is rising. Hunger is widespread. Insecurity continues to threaten lives and livelihoods. Businesses are shutting down daily. Our young people are becoming discouraged, and many citizens have lost faith in the system. At a time like this, leadership must be driven not by propaganda or division, but by competence, capacity, character, and compassion.
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, where public resources are managed responsibly, where institutions function independently, and where every Nigerian, regardless of tribe, religion, region, or social status, can live with dignity, security, and hope.
I remain committed to working with all Nigerians of goodwill across political, ethnic, and religious lines. The task before us is bigger than any individual or political party. It is about the future of our children and the survival of our dear nation.
I thank Nigerians, especially our youths and women, for remaining peaceful, resilient, and hopeful despite the enormous challenges confronting the country. I urge you not to lose faith in Nigeria. Nations do not change because people surrender to hopelessness; they change because people continue to believe, continue to sacrifice, and continue to stand for what is right.
A new Nigeria is still POssible. -PO
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