Peter Obi Quits ADC Amid Party Crisis

 

Peter Obi Announces Exit from ADC, Cites Internal Crisis and Political Interference

Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has announced his resignation from the African Democratic Congress (ADC), attributing his decision to growing internal crises, political interference, and persistent divisions within the party.

In a statement released on Sunday, Obi clarified that his departure was not driven by personal disagreements with the party’s leadership. He specifically praised the National Chairman, David Mark, as well as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, stating that both men treated him with respect and integrity throughout his time in the party.

Obi said:

“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, or any other respected leaders did anything personally wrong to me. I will continue to respect them.”

The former Anambra State governor explained that his resignation was motivated by what he described as a familiar pattern of political destabilization and internal conflict that he had previously experienced in the Labour Party.

According to Obi, forces within the Nigerian political system appear to be fueling crises inside the ADC, creating an atmosphere dominated by court disputes, factional struggles, mistrust, and division rather than constructive political engagement.

He further lamented that the party was gradually shifting away from issue-based politics and national development, focusing instead on power struggles, control, and exclusion.

“However, the same Nigerian state and its agents that created unnecessary crises and hostility within the Labour Party that forced me to leave now appear to be finding their way into the ADC, with endless court cases, internal battles, suspicion, and division, instead of focusing on deeper national problems and playing politics built more on control and exclusion than on service and nation-building.”

Obi’s exit is expected to generate fresh conversations within Nigeria’s opposition politics, especially as political parties begin strategic preparations ahead of future national elections. His resignation also raises questions about the stability and unity of opposition coalitions seeking to challenge the ruling establishment.

Political observers believe Obi’s next move could significantly influence the alignment of opposition forces and the direction of reform-oriented politics in Nigeria.