Politics
2027: Why Peter Obi Chose Enugu for Defection to ADC
Former Anambra State governor and 2023 Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has chosen Enugu State as the venue for his defection to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a move his supporters say is aimed at sending a strong political signal ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Leader of the Obidient Movement, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, said the decision to defect in Enugu rather than Awka, Obi’s home state capital was deliberate and symbolic, reflecting the South-East’s desire to make a united and historic statement.
Speaking to Vanguard, Tanko disclosed that leaders and members of the Obidient Movement had already converged on Enugu, the South-East zonal capital, in preparation for the event.
“Enugu is the historical capital of the East. It adds historical solidity when the East wants to make a statement,” Tanko said when asked why Obi chose Enugu for the defection.
He explained that Obi had been part of the ADC coalition for some time, adding that the gathering was meant to outline the next political steps for his supporters nationwide.
“The programme today is for Mr. Obi to chart the way forward for his numerous supporters across the country ahead of the 2027 elections. The Obidient Movement is here to give their full support. We are here in our numbers,” Tanko added.
A national leader of the ADC also confirmed that top party officials would be present to formally receive Obi.
“We are excited. The National Chairman of the ADC and other national leaders of the party are likely to be there,” the source said.
The event is scheduled to hold at Nike Lake Hotel, Enugu, with leaders of the ADC and the Obidient Movement expected to attend in large numbers.
Earlier in the week, Obi publicly declared his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election, stating that he is fully prepared for the task of leadership. His defection to the ADC comes after months of speculation about his political future following internal crises within the Labour Party.
A prominent figure within the Obidient Movement described Obi’s move to the ADC as “hard but inevitable,” arguing that the party remains one of the few platforms not yet dominated by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“The ADC is perhaps the only platform that has not been infiltrated by President Bola Tinubu and the APC. It has men and women with the capacity to challenge APC’s dominance,” the source said.
According to him, Obi is expected to move into the ADC alongside serving federal and state lawmakers, as well as political heavyweights from across the country, in a bid to strengthen his political bargaining power ahead of 2027.
However, the move has continued to generate mixed reactions. Dr. Katch Onanuju, who described himself as a pioneer leader of the Obidient Movement, expressed reservations about Obi’s decision.
“I can confirm that Mr. Peter Obi has made up his mind to join the ADC. Unfortunately, I believe he has been cornered into a decision that may eventually end his political career,” Onanuju said.
He argued that Obi should have moved earlier to help rebuild a new political platform after the Labour Party crisis, warning that entrenched interests within the ADC could work against his presidential ambition.
“He is joining the ADC a little late. There are already powerful interests who may rather destroy the platform than allow Obi emerge as the party’s candidate,” Onanuju added.
Despite the differing opinions, ADC leaders insist that the party remains open and committed to a transparent candidate selection process as political alignments ahead of the 2027 elections continue to take shape.
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