Presidential hopeful, Peter Obi, has announced his exit from the African Democratic Congress ahead of the 2027 general election, citing deepening internal crises and a toxic political environment.
In a statement shared via his official X handle on Sunday, Obi said his decision was informed by persistent internal divisions, legal disputes and what he described as external interference destabilising the party.
The former Anambra State governor clarified that his departure was not due to any personal disagreement with party leaders, including David Mark and Atiku Abubakar, both of whom he said he holds in high regard.
Obi lamented that the political space in Nigeria has become increasingly hostile, marked by intimidation, insecurity and what he termed undue scrutiny of individuals committed to public service.
He alleged that the same forces that created crises within the Labour Party during his 2023 presidential bid were beginning to manifest within the ADC, resulting in internal battles and endless court cases.
“Let me state clearly: my decision to leave the ADC is not because our highly respected Chairman, Senator David Mark, treated me badly, nor because my leader and elder brother, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, did anything wrong to me,” he said.
“However, the same Nigerian state and its agents that created unnecessary crises in the Labour Party now appear to be finding their way into the ADC, with endless court cases, internal battles, suspicion and division.”
He further decried a societal trend where integrity and humility are often misconstrued as weakness, stressing that genuine efforts at nation-building are increasingly undermined.
Despite his exit, Obi reaffirmed his commitment to Nigeria’s development, noting that his ambition is driven by the desire to see a just and functional society, rather than the pursuit of political office.
The development comes amid growing speculation about realignments ahead of 2027, although Obi did not disclose his next political destination.
Meanwhile, former Kano State governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, has said consultations are ongoing regarding his political future, adding that no final decision has been reached.
