ADC membership swells after Obi’s defection

Obi

The defection of the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to the African Democratic Congress has begun to boost the party’s political strength in the South, with no fewer than eight federal lawmakers reportedly set to officially join the ADC, barring any last-minute change of plans.

Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, joined the ADC in Enugu on Wednesday, calling on Nigerians and opposition groups to come together under a broad national coalition to “rescue Nigeria from poverty, disunity and democratic decline.”

Explaining his reasons for leaving the LP for the ADC, Obi stated that his decision was driven by patriotism and a desire to rescue Nigeria from the APC.

“This decision is guided solely by patriotism and national interest. I now respectfully call on my political associates, the Obidient Movement and opposition leaders across the country to join this broad national coalition under the African Democratic Congress. History will not forgive silence in moments of national peril,” he said.

In a post shared on his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle on Wednesday night, Obi said three serving senators and several members of the Federal House of Representatives were present at his defection ceremony, signalling their readiness to join the party.

He said, “Notable senators present included Enyinnaya Abaribe, Victor Umeh, Tony Nwoye, and Gilbert Nnaji. Additionally, we had prominent political figures such as High Chief Ben Obi, Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, Prof. Pat Utomi, Prof. Osita Ogbu, Chief Ralph Nwosu, and others, alongside various members of the Federal House of Representatives and State Houses of Assembly, as well as community leaders.”

During the defection ceremony, Sunday PUNCH gathered that eight federal lawmakers, including three serving senators mentioned by Obi, were also announced as having collectively defected to the ADC