A former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has given reasons why he resigned from the African Democratic Congress, ADC, to join the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC, alongside a former governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso.

In a long post on X on Monday, Obi insisted it was not out of anger or ambition.

Rather, he said the move is a continuation of the quest to build a new Nigeria.

Obi wrote: “Yesterday, I formally joined the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), alongside my dear brother, Engr. Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, with one clear purpose: to continue the struggle for a new Nigeria built on justice, competence, accountability, and compassion for the ordinary Nigerian.

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“As I stated yesterday, 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.

“Over the years, I have remained steadfast in my conviction that politics should never be about individuals, positions, or personal gain. It must be about the people, especially the millions of Nigerians who today can no longer afford necessities, whose businesses are collapsing, whose children are losing hope, and whose future is becoming increasingly uncertain.

“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, alongside many other notable individuals, do not effectively participate in the electoral process. I sincerely appreciate and remain deeply grateful to the Leadership of ADC for the opportunity to work together in pursuit of a better Nigeria. I am particularly grateful to ADC Chairman Senator David Mark for his exceptional Leadership. I also deeply appreciate my Leader and elder brother YE, Atiku Abubakar, as well as other respected leaders within the party.

“As we join the NDC, I sincerely appeal to the Nigerian Government against the encouragement of unresolved litigations and the infusion of crises within political parties. Democracy must never become a weapon against the people. A healthy democracy thrives on strong institutions, credible alternatives, and the freedom of citizens to make choices without intimidation, manipulation, or fear. Opposition parties must not be weakened or destroyed, because when democracy loses balance, the people ultimately suffer.

“Nigeria today is passing through one of the most difficult periods in its history. Poverty is rising. Hunger is widespread. Insecurity continues to threaten lives and livelihoods. Businesses are shutting down daily. Our young people are becoming discouraged, and many citizens have lost faith in the system. At a time like this, leadership must be driven not by propaganda or division, but by competence, capacity, character, and compassion.

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“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: building a Nigeria where leadership is about service, where public resources are managed responsibly, where institutions function independently, and where every Nigerian, regardless of tribe, religion, region, or social status, can live with dignity, security, and hope.

“I remain committed to working with all Nigerians of goodwill across political, ethnic, and religious lines. The task before us is bigger than any individual or political party. It is about the future of our children and the survival of our dear nation.

“I thank Nigerians, especially our youths and women, for remaining peaceful, resilient, and hopeful despite the enormous challenges confronting the country. 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, continue to sacrifice, and continue to stand for what is right.”

Edo South All Progressives Congress’ senatorial aspirant, Omeregie Ogbeide-Ihama, on Saturday said that there is nothing wrong seeking the Federal Capital Territory Minister, nyesom Wike’s support for his political ambition.

The former House of Representatives member was reacting to insinuation in some quarters that he had gone to meet the FCT Minister for help in order to get the party’s ticket.

Ogbeide-Ihama, who spoke when he visited the leadership of the Edo South Senatorial District to declare his intention to contest the senatorial seat, said if such insinuations of meeting Wike for support was true, there is nothing bad so far meeting Wike can guarantee him the ticket.

Ogbeide-Ihama appealed to the senatorial leaders of the party to give the ticket to the most qualified aspirants, stressing that “it is not a game of try your luck or gamble.”

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According to him, among the aspirants, he is the most qualified having gone to the House of Representatives twice.

He stressed that he feels most qualified and experienced to be saddled with the responsibility and not someone who wants to learn on the job.

Ogbeide-Ihama, while stating his ordeals when contesting on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said his billboards were pulled down several times yet he won the election.

READ ALSO:Obaseki Betrayed 2020 Agreement With Ogbeide-Ihama – Wike

He added that now that he has joined the APC, the election should be easy sailing because he is now one of them.

He further appealed to the leadership of the party that they should know that times are changing and the world is gravitating towards the youth, adding that as a youth, he should be sent to represent the senatorial district because he still has the strength and energy to champion the cause of the seven local government areas that make up the Edo South Senatorial district.

Earlier, the Edo South Senatorial district leader and former deputy governor of the state, Pius Odubu, said that the election should be seen as that of a family affair.

He appealed to Ogbeide-Ihama to go about his campaign in a peaceful manner

Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Abdulmumin Ohiare Abdulsalam, has said that the defection of Peter Obi and Musa Kwankwaso from the African Democratic Congress, ADC, to the party remains uncertain.

Abdulsalam was reacting to reports that Obi and Kwankwaso are set to join the NDC.

A report had quoted Abdulsalam as lending credence to the planned defection.

Reacting to the development in a statement on Saturday, he said, “My recent response to rare inquiry by a print journalist regarding the possibility of defections of the duo of Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and Mr. Peter Gregory Obi, both of the ADC, dwelt more on the realm of probability rather than certainty.

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“This unequivocal clarification of the party is coming on the heels of a politically sensitive reportage by a print media which some media houses and/or news channels are already referencing and getting over-sensational of in the public space.

“For the purpose of clarity, the NDC wishes to restate and maintain its policy posturing on the sensitive issue of defections by politicians and potential electoral candidates who feel dissatisfied in their various political parties.

“Abinitio, our party has been calling on both the ruling and opposition politicians to join what we call the ‘Noah’s Ark’ being floated by the National Leader of the party, especially considering the unique ideologies and policy pillars upon which the NDC was built.

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“This suffices to say we do not foreclose nor coarse the defection scenarios to favour our party as we believe politicians are free to move to any party of their choosing.

“Again, we hereby restate that while discussions with key opposition leaders, including many APC politicians, are ongoing, the hierarchy of the NDC shall continue to keep the doors of the party open for whoever wants to come into the party’s fold to salvage the nation.

“In the light of the facts so presented in this explanatory press release, the NDC has not foreclosed the defections of the duo of Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Mr Peter Gregory Obi and others, even though discussions have been going on among the opposition parties on the possibility of an alliance to build a multi-party momentum towards the 2027 polls.”