According to a statement released on Sunday, the former presidential candidate Peter Obi has clarified his departure from the African Democratic Congress (ADC), blaming a combination of internal turmoil, outside influence, and a deteriorating political climate.
Obi characterized the current political landscape in Nigeria as “increasingly toxic,” pointing to a culture of “intimidation, insecurity, and persistent scrutiny” that he believes sabotages honest attempts at nation-building.
He was careful to note that his exit was not personal, stating he holds no grudges against party leaders like National Chairman David Mark or former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, for whom he “maintains respect.”
Instead, Obi argued that the same disruptive elements that plagued his tenure at the Labour Party are now surfacing within the ADC.
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He remarked:“The same Nigerian state and its agents that created unnecessary crises and hostility within the Labour Party that forced me to leave now appear to be finding their way into the ADC.”
The former Governor of Anambra State expressed deep frustration with a political culture where “integrity, humility, and service are often misinterpreted as weakness.”
He shared his concern that even when an individual makes significant contributions to a party, they are often “treated as outsiders and unfairly blamed for challenges beyond their control.”
Ultimately, Obi maintained that his choice to step away was a move to “preserve peace” within the ADC.
He emphasized that his motives remain rooted in the public good rather than a hunger for power.
“I am not desperate to be President, Vice President, or Senate President. I am desperate to see a society that works for all,” he declared.
Obi concluded by focusing on the urgent need to address “insecurity, poverty, and displacement” through leadership defined by justice and compassion.
Despite the obstacles, he remains hopeful about the nation’s future, once again stating his firm belief that “A new Nigeria is possible.”
