The defection of the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to the African Democratic Congress has begun to boost the party’s political strength in the South, with no fewer than eight federal lawmakers reportedly set to officially join the ADC, barring any last-minute change of plans.

Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, joined the ADC in Enugu on Wednesday, calling on Nigerians and opposition groups to come together under a broad national coalition to “rescue Nigeria from poverty, disunity and democratic decline.”

Explaining his reasons for leaving the LP for the ADC, Obi stated that his decision was driven by patriotism and a desire to rescue Nigeria from the APC.

“This decision is guided solely by patriotism and national interest. I now respectfully call on my political associates, the Obidient Movement and opposition leaders across the country to join this broad national coalition under the African Democratic Congress. History will not forgive silence in moments of national peril,” he said.

In a post shared on his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle on Wednesday night, Obi said three serving senators and several members of the Federal House of Representatives were present at his defection ceremony, signalling their readiness to join the party.

He said, “Notable senators present included Enyinnaya Abaribe, Victor Umeh, Tony Nwoye, and Gilbert Nnaji. Additionally, we had prominent political figures such as High Chief Ben Obi, Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, Prof. Pat Utomi, Prof. Osita Ogbu, Chief Ralph Nwosu, and others, alongside various members of the Federal House of Representatives and State Houses of Assembly, as well as community leaders.”

During the defection ceremony, Sunday PUNCH gathered that eight federal lawmakers, including three serving senators mentioned by Obi, were also announced as having collectively defected to the ADC.

The remaining five lawmakers, said to be current House of Representatives members from Anambra State, dumped the Labour Party.

They include Afamefuna Ogene (Ogbaru Federal Constituency), Oby Orogbu (Awka North/Awka South Federal Constituency), and Harris Okonkwo (Idemili North/Idemili South Federal Constituency).

Others are Emeka Godwin (Onitsha North/Onitsha South Federal Constituency) and George Ozodinobi (Dunukofia/Njikoka/Anaocha Federal Constituency).

However, their defections have yet to be formally announced on the floor of both chambers of the National Assembly.

Speaking to Sunday PUNCH, ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said Obi’s formal defection had boosted the party’s momentum and more federal lawmakers were likely to join ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

“Obi’s defection has given traction to the ADC, and we are expecting more quality politicians like him to join us. Others should make up their minds on time.

“We are expecting more lawmakers and other political bigwigs. Discussions are ongoing with them, and the engagements have been positive so far. We are expecting them in the next few weeks,” Abdullahi said.

Obi had joined other opposition leaders in July to present the ADC as a coalition platform to challenge President Tinubu in the 2027 election.

Under the leadership of former Senate President David Mark as National Chairman and former Osun State governor Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary, the ADC has been positioning itself as a major opposition party ready to take on the All Progressives Congress in the upcoming poll.

Before Obi officially registered as an ADC member, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who joined the party in November, had confirmed on August 25 that he would contest for the presidency in 2027.

Similarly, former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi, who joined the ADC in July, confirmed on August 28 that he would seek the party’s presidential ticket.

With Atiku, Amaechi, and Obi all expressing their intentions to run, the number of aspirants vying for the ADC’s 2027 presidential nomination has grown significantly.

APC govs can’t stop Obi — ‘Obidient’

Speaking with Sunday PUNCH, Obidient National Leader Yunusa Tanko emphasised that Obi’s major aim of joining the ADC was to get the party’s presidential ticket, as his defection would continue to attract a wave of Nigerians to the party.

Tanko noted that the former LP presidential candidate remained popular despite recent defections by governors to the ruling APC.

He also dismissed concerns that defections by governors in the South-East could weaken Obi’s electoral strength ahead of 2027, describing the former Anambra State governor as a popular candidate capable of outperforming his 2023 showing.

“As far as I’m concerned, he is a popular candidate. He will definitely be able to attract more than what he had in 2023,” he stated.

He argued that electoral outcomes were driven more by the people than by political officeholders, saying, “People want change, genuine change that can translate into good leadership in this country, and Obi represents that.”

Tanko added that governors could not determine voting patterns on their own, as the votes would come from the people, whom he claimed wanted Obi as their next leader. (Sunday PUNCH)