The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has strengthened its political standing following the defection of Mr Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, alongside several influential Igbo leaders from the South-East.
The leaders announced their decision on Wednesday at a well-attended political rally held at the Nike Lake Resort Hotel in Enugu, after months of consultations and strategic engagements.
They explained that the move to ADC was driven by the need to build a broad-based opposition platform capable of collaborating with like-minded leaders nationwide to challenge what they described as poor governance under the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Addressing supporters, Obi said joining the ADC marked the start of a new political journey focused on rescuing Nigeria from misrule and restoring inclusive socio-economic development.
He lamented what he described as the gradual erosion of democratic values, accusing some political actors of undermining democracy through intimidation and suppression of opposition voices.
Obi stressed that the opposition would resist such practices and work collectively to safeguard democratic principles.
Prominent figures who also defected to the ADC include former PDP National Chairman, Dr Okwesilieze Nwodo; former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha; Senators Victor Umeh, Tony Nwoye, Gilbert Nnaji, Enyinnaya Abaribe and Sam Egwu, among others.
Also present were former Imo State Governor, Achike Udenwa; Chief Onyema Ugochukwu; Mrs Josephine Anenih; and political leaders from other regions, including former Senate President and ADC National Chairman, Senator David Mark, and former Sokoto State Governor, Senator Aminu Tambuwal.
Reacting to the development, former PDP chieftain, Sen. Ben Obi, said South-East leaders resolved that their collective political interests would be better served under the ADC, calling on other opposition parties to align with the platform to reposition Nigeria.
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