A leading opposition figure and presidential aspirant under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Peter Obi, has said he may exit the party if its internal processes become compromised.
Speaking during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time on Monday, Obi defended his history of switching political parties, stressing that his decisions have always been based on principle rather than convenience.
Responding to criticisms about frequently leaving parties instead of fixing internal challenges, Obi explained that his past exits were motivated by a refusal to participate in flawed or unethical systems.
“I moved from APGA to the PDP because I had issues with my successor, the governor, who came after me. I will not allow it to become toxic and become destructive to his governance of the state. I moved out,” he said.
He further stated that his departure from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was due to irregularities in its internal processes.
“In PDP, I said it before, people were not playing by the rules, it was transactional, I cannot be part of transactional primary, I cannot be paying people to serve them, so I moved to Labour,” Obi stated.
The former Anambra State governor also accused the ruling party and the Federal Government of contributing to the crisis that led to his exit from the Labour Party, citing delays in the recognition of a Supreme Court ruling.
“In Labour Party, Supreme Court decided against it in April, INEC did not recognise it until 7th of January, eight months after,” he said, adding that he believed attempts were made to trap him in a dysfunctional system.
“They thought I would be there for the fire to burn me. When I now escape they will now say Peter Obi cannot stay to put out the fire which they put and then I left,” he added.
On his current position within the ADC, Obi said he remains committed to the party but warned he would not hesitate to take action if similar issues arise.
“I am in ADC with the same people, some of whom I left in PDP and other parties but we are going through the same process, if that process is again compromised, I will speak out,” he said.
Obi emphasised that integrity in political processes is non-negotiable for him.
“If I have to move twenty times, I will do it. You cannot use the process of yesterday to build tomorrow.”
He also maintained that he has never been involved in electoral malpractice or attempts to influence judicial outcomes.
“I’ve never been involved in any form of rigging. I’ve never been part of paying people in judiciary or anywhere to give me judgment I do not deserve,” he said.
What you should know
Peter Obi’s comments highlight ongoing concerns about internal democracy within Nigerian political parties.
His warning signals that the ADC could face internal challenges if transparency and fairness are not maintained. Obi’s political history of moving between parties reflects broader issues of trust, credibility, and process integrity in Nigeria’s political system.
As the 2027 elections approach, his stance may influence both party dynamics and voter perception, especially among supporters who value accountability and reform in governance.
