Presidency reacts as Peter Obi dumps LP, joins ADC ahead of 2027

The Presidency has reacted sharply to the recent defection of former Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The response was contained in a statement released by Bayo Onanuga, Senior Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to President Bola Tinubu.

Obi’s Political Moves Under Scrutiny

According to the statement, Obi, who formally joined the ADC after leaving the Labour Party, has shown a pattern of frequent party changes, having moved from APGA to PDP, then Labour, and now ADC.

The Presidency described Obi as a “wandering politician” still harbouring bitterness over his third-place finish in the 2023 presidential election.

Bayo Onanuga argued that Obi’s claims of being denied victory are unfounded, noting that analyses of the 2023 election indicated he was unlikely to have won, and that his third-place finish in the South East was largely due to anomalous polling figures.

Criticism of Obi’s Governance and Leadership Claims

The Presidency also questioned Obi’s record as Governor of Anambra State, describing his eight-year tenure as unsuccessful.

The statement suggested that Obi’s arguments for national leadership, based on foreign models and academic references, should be viewed with caution.

“No leader can move a country forward by simply copying and pasting models from elsewhere. Nations require original thinkers, not copycats,” the statement said, emphasising the need for homegrown solutions in Nigeria’s development.

Highlighting Tinubu’s Achievements

The Presidency used the occasion to highlight the achievements of President Bola Tinubu’s administration since May 29, 2023. Key accomplishments cited include:

Restructuring of the Nigerian economy and elimination of wasteful petrol subsidies.

Reduced dependence on oil through development of the gas sector and attraction of local and foreign investment.

Stabilisation of foreign reserves and exchange rates, alongside decelerating inflation.

Major infrastructure projects, including the Lagos-Calabar and Sokoto-Badagry superhighways, described as previously considered impossible by Obi and his associates.

Planned tax reforms beginning January 2026, aimed at harmonising Nigeria’s tax system, increasing the tax-to-GDP ratio, and boosting revenue.

The statement framed these initiatives as evidence of “effective leadership anchored in strategic policies and reforms” and contrasted them with Obi’s limited governance experience.

Speculations on Obi’s Future Political Role

The Presidency also speculated on Obi’s potential role in national politics following his defection.

It suggested that Obi is likely to play a secondary role in the ADC, possibly as a running mate to a major candidate in the 2027 elections, similar to the 2019 scenario with Atiku Abubakar.

In summary, the Presidency described Peter Obi’s move as politically opportunistic, emphasising that Nigeria requires tested leadership and homegrown solutions rather than foreign-inspired models.

The statement reinforced confidence in the Tinubu administration’s ongoing reforms and achievements.