Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, has confirmed his exit from the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
He cited internal crises and divisions within the party as his reason for his latest move.
The formaer Anambra governor announced this in a post on his official X page on Sunday.
Obi said his decision was driven by what he described as a toxic political environment and persistent internal conflicts.
He said the party has become entangled in “endless court cases, internal battles, suspicion, and division”.
Precisely, Obi said the same forces that destabilised the Labour Party are beginning to affect the ADC.
“The same Nigerian state and its agents that created unnecessary crises and hostility within the Labour Party now appear to be finding their way into the ADC,” he said.
Furthermore, he said his decision was not due to personal issues with party leaders.
“My decision to leave the ADC is not because our chairman, Senator David Mark, or Alhaji Atiku Abubakar treated me badly,” he said.
“I will continue to respect them.”
However, Obi said the environment within the party has made it difficult to operate effectively.
“Even within spaces where one labours sincerely, one is sometimes treated like an outsider,” he said.
He said he chose to step aside to allow peace within the party.
“When you choose to leave so others can have peace, you are still maligned and your character is questioned,” he said.
Obi said he remains committed to building a better Nigeria.
“I am not desperate to be president… I am desperate to see a society that works for all Nigerians,” he said.
His statement comes amid reports that he and Rabiu Kwankwaso may be considering a move to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
