2026 Defection: Obi Thanks David Mark, Atiku Abubakar as He Exits ADC

The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has officially announced his resignation from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to join the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC).

In a formal statement released via his official X handle on Monday, May 4, 2026, Obi confirmed that he transitioned to the new platform alongside his "dear brother," the former Governor of Kano State, Engr. Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

This strategic realignment is described by Obi as a "rescue mission" born out of deep reflection on the deteriorating socio-economic conditions of the nation and the urgent necessity to provide a credible alternative for the Nigerian people.

Obi disclosed that his departure from the ADC followed a similar pattern to his exit from the Labour Party, citing "severe, orchestrated litigation and internal crises" which he alleged were deliberately designed to prevent him and other notable figures from participating effectively in the electoral process.

Despite the move, he expressed profound gratitude to the leadership of the ADC, specifically commending Chairman Senator David Mark for his "exceptional leadership" and acknowledging his respect for Atiku Abubakar and other party elders.

He maintained that the decision was not rooted in personal ambition or anger but in a steadfast conviction that politics must be about the people, particularly the millions currently facing hunger, collapsing businesses, and an uncertain future.

In his address, the former Governor of Anambra State issued a direct appeal to the Federal Government to cease the encouragement of unresolved litigations and the "infusion of crises" within opposition parties, arguing that democracy must never be utilized as a weapon against the citizenry.

He emphasized that a healthy democracy requires strong institutions and the freedom of citizens to make choices without intimidation or manipulation, warning that when the political balance is lost, the people ultimately suffer.

Obi characterized the current period as one of the most difficult in Nigeria's history, noting that leadership must now be driven by competence, capacity, character, and compassion rather than propaganda.

The move to the NDC is framed by Obi not as an abandonment of values, but as a continuation of his mission to build a nation where public resources are managed responsibly and every Nigerian can live with dignity.