Nigeria’s former Vice President and two-time presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has publicly welcomed Peter Obi, the former Governor of Anambra State and former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, into the African Democratic Congress, describing the move as a major boost for opposition politics in Africa’s most populous country.
Peter Obi formally announced his defection to the African Democratic Congress on Wednesday, 31 December 2025, at the Nike Lake Resort in Enugu, Enugu State, located in Nigeria’s South-East geopolitical zone. The event attracted political leaders, supporters, and civil society figures drawn from different parts of the country.
Okay News reports that during his address at the gathering, Obi called on Nigerians and opposition political actors to come together under a single national coalition. He said the unity of opposition forces was necessary to “rescue Nigeria from poverty, disunity and democratic decline.”
The former Anambra State Governor also criticised Nigeria’s current political leadership, accusing it of presiding over state capture, poor economic management, and the gradual weakening of democratic institutions across the country.
Reacting to Obi’s decision, Atiku Abubakar shared his views in a post published on his verified account on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. He described Obi’s entry into the African Democratic Congress as a defining moment that could reshape Nigeria’s opposition politics ahead of future general elections.
“Today marks a significant moment in the history of political coalitions in our country, with the official declaration of my brother and associate, Peter Obi, into the African Democratic Congress,” Atiku said.
The former Vice President expressed confidence that Obi’s presence within the party would strengthen cooperation among opposition leaders and renew public confidence in the possibility of political change.
“It is my pleasure to welcome him officially, as we look forward to a robust working relationship that will foster a virile opposition, one that will ultimately form a government capable of bringing prosperity and peace to our people,” he added.
Atiku also pointed to the recent launch of the African Democratic Congress coalition, noting that the development could encourage more Nigerians, particularly young voters and professionals, to identify with the coalition’s reform-driven political agenda.
