Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has once again defended his decision to defect to the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), saying it was driven by the worsening condition of the country and the urgent need for national rescue.
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In a detailed statement released after his formal entry into the party, Obi said, “The condition of our nation and the urgent need to rescue Nigeria informed my decision to leave ADC for NDC.”
He confirmed that he joined the NDC alongside former Kano State governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, stressing that their move was guided by a shared vision. “Yesterday, I formally joined the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), alongside my dear brother… with one clear purpose: to continue the struggle for a new Nigeria built on justice, competence, accountability, and compassion for the ordinary Nigerian,” he said.
Obi was emphatic that his defection was not politically motivated by personal ambition or frustration. “This decision was not made out of anger, personal ambition, or convenience. It came after deep reflection on the present condition of our nation and the urgent need to rescue Nigeria from the dangerous path it is currently heading,” he stated.
The former Anambra State governor also used the opportunity to reiterate his long-held stance on leadership, saying politics must prioritise citizens over personal interests. According to him, “politics should never be about individuals… It must be about the people, especially the millions of Nigerians who today can no longer afford necessities.”
Explaining his exit from the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Obi cited internal crises and legal challenges. “I left the ADC for the same reason I left the Labour Party: the severe, orchestrated litigation and internal crises deliberately designed to ensure that I… do not effectively participate in the electoral process,” he said.
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Despite his departure, Obi expressed gratitude to key figures in the party, including ADC Chairman David Mark and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, whom he described as leaders he deeply respects.
He also issued a caution to the federal government, warning against interference in opposition parties. “Democracy must never become a weapon against the people… Opposition parties must not be weakened or destroyed, because when democracy loses balance, the people ultimately suffer,” he said.
Painting a bleak picture of the current state of the nation, Obi pointed to rising poverty, insecurity, and economic hardship. “Nigeria today is passing through one of the most difficult periods in its history .
At a time like this, leadership must be driven not by propaganda or division, but by competence, capacity, character, and compassion,” he added.
Obi maintained that his move to the NDC represents continuity, not compromise. “Our decision to join the NDC is therefore not an abandonment of values, but a continuation of the same mission we have always stood for,” he declared.
He however delivered a message of hope to Nigerians, particularly young people and women. “I urge you not to lose faith in Nigeria… Nations do not change because people surrender to hopelessness; they change because people continue to believe.”
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