Peter Obi Fixes Declaration Rally to ADC as Party Plans Convention

Fresh indications emerged over the weekend that former presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi, may be on the verge of formally defecting to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), as the opposition party intensifies preparations ahead of the 2027 general elections.

 

Sources within the ADC say arrangements are already underway for a declaration rally in Enugu, a move that could significantly reshape Nigeria’s opposition politics.

 

A principal official of the ADC, who spoke to Sunday PUNCH in Abuja, disclosed that Obi has concluded plans to officially join the party and publicly declare his allegiance at a rally scheduled for December 31 in Enugu, widely regarded as the political capital of the South-East.

 

According to the source, although no formal letter has yet been submitted to the party, consultations have reached an advanced stage and preparations by Obi’s supporters are already in motion.

 

The source said Obi’s decision followed weeks of intense engagements with key figures in the ADC-led coalition, including a recent meeting with the party’s National Chairman, Senator David Mark. The meeting, according to insiders, was aimed at reaffirming Obi’s commitment to the coalition project and ironing out lingering concerns over the party’s internal stability and direction.

 

“After the ADC asked him to make up his mind about three weeks ago, Obi met with the National Chairman and other stakeholders. The party’s position and assurances may have finally convinced him to take the plunge,” the source said.

Tensions between Obi and the ADC first became public earlier this month when the party reacted sharply to comments attributed to the former Anambra State governor, in which he reportedly described the ADC as unstable. On December 7, the party openly challenged Obi to clarify his position and decide whether he intended to fully embrace the coalition or chart a different political path.

Despite the initial friction, ADC insiders say the dialogue that followed helped to rebuild trust and reinforce a shared objective of unseating the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027. According to the party official, the choice of Enugu as the venue for Obi’s expected declaration is deliberate and symbolic.

“Enugu is the political capital of the South-East. Obi is not just representing Anambra State; he is projecting himself as a leading political figure from the entire region. That must have informed his decision,” the source explained.

However, official confirmation from the ADC leadership remains cautious. The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Bolaji Abdullahi, said he could not confirm Obi’s planned defection, stressing that consultations were still ongoing.

“The point is that there is no official announcement yet. But consultations are ongoing,” Abdullahi said, declining to give further details.

Similarly, the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, avoided direct comments on the issue. He maintained that only Obi himself could speak authoritatively on any decision regarding his political future.

“Only Peter Obi can speak on that matter. Until he does, any comment from us would be speculative,” Tanko said.

Meanwhile, the Julius Abure-led National Working Committee of the Labour Party has played down reports of Obi’s imminent defection, insisting that the party would not be drawn into conjecture until the former presidential candidate personally makes his position known.

The LP National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Obiora Ifoh, told Sunday PUNCH that while the party was aware of the rumours, it would refrain from making any definitive pronouncement in the absence of a formal statement from Obi.

“We cannot fully comment on that until we hear from Obi. As we normally say, anybody can defect from anywhere to anywhere. It is normal in Nigerian politics. Labour Party doesn’t see it as a big deal,” Ifoh said.

He added that should Obi eventually decide to leave, it would be driven by personal ambition rather than any failure on the part of the party. According to him, the Labour Party would continue to grow and remain relevant regardless of individual movements.

“Any decision by Obi to leave would be his personal choice. It is not because the party has failed institutionally. Labour Party will continue to thrive,” he said.

While stressing that the party harboured no ill feelings, Ifoh noted that it would have been preferable for Obi to remain within the party and resolve outstanding disagreements internally.

“The wisest thing for him to do is to stay back and work with the party that gave him the spread he got in 2023. He should try to reconcile with the party leadership and move on from there. But if he prefers to jump from one party to another, we wish him all the best,” he added.

Obi’s potential move to the ADC comes at a time when opposition parties are exploring coalition arrangements to challenge President Bola Tinubu and the ruling APC in the next general elections. Many political analysts believe Obi’s popularity, particularly among young voters and urban constituencies, could significantly boost the ADC’s national profile if the defection materialises.

ADC Plans National Convention

Amid the swirling speculation around Obi, the ADC has also announced plans to hold its national convention in mid-2026 as part of a broader strategy to reposition the party ahead of the 2027 polls.

Abdullahi disclosed that the party’s immediate focus is on nationwide mobilisation, membership expansion and internal consolidation. He explained that ongoing membership registration across the country would serve as the foundation for future congresses and conventions.

“Our priority right now is to build a solid organisational framework nationwide. The membership registration we are doing will determine how strong our congresses and conventions will be,” he said.

According to him, 2026 would be a defining year for the party, especially as preparations to select a presidential candidate are expected to dramatically alter political alignments and inject fresh momentum into party activities nationwide.

“Don’t forget that by June or July, at the latest, we must have a presidential candidate. That will also add to the momentum and redraw the political dynamic,” Abdullahi stated.

He added that once a presidential candidate emerges, interest in other elective positions such as governorship tickets would surge, further energising the party.

“Once a presidential candidate emerges and you see people also coming up to contest the governorship election, it will change the momentum,” he said.

Responding to concerns about the pace of political activity within the party, Abdullahi urged observers not to mistake the current calm for unpreparedness.

“Election-year dynamics usually trigger heightened engagement. What you are seeing now is part of our planning phase,” he explained.

On the timing of the ADC’s national convention, the spokesman revealed that discussions were still ongoing but confirmed that the party planned to hold two conventions in 2026.

“We will have the first convention to ratify the decisions that the NEC has taken this year. We will have another one to decide our next presidential candidate. That will come towards the middle of the year. But I cannot give you a definite date for now,” he said.

As Nigeria’s political actors begin to reposition ahead of 2027, all eyes remain on Peter Obi and whether his anticipated declaration in Enugu will mark a new chapter in the opposition’s quest for power.