Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has said he was forced to leave the party after it was thrown into crisis by forces he believes created problems and then expected him to remain and fix them.
Speaking during an interview with Arise News, Obi said the situation in the Labour Party became so bad that staying would have meant putting himself at risk politically. He explained that the party was already in turmoil, yet people still expected him to remain and solve the same problems he did not create.
He said after he left, the same people began asking why he could not stay back and put out the crisis, even though they were responsible for creating it in the first place.
Obi confirmed that he is now a member of the African Democratic Congress and made it clear that his position remains firm. According to him, if the internal process of the party is ever compromised, he will not keep quiet. He stressed that many Nigerians can already see the direction the country is heading and understand that urgent action is needed.
He also spoke about the coalition he belongs to, describing it as a group of individuals who are committed to rescuing Nigeria from its current political and economic challenges.
Obi further alleged that the government is creating obstacles for opposition parties. He revealed that venues were denied to the ADC, suggesting that there are deliberate efforts to stop other political parties from operating freely.
He argued that the government should instead protect opposition parties and even make them stronger, because democracy works better when there is a strong opposition. Recalling his past experience under former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, Obi said he witnessed a different approach to governance. He remembered how Yar’Adua once called the chairman of the electoral body and made it clear that he did not want any problems during the process.
When asked how Nigerians can be sure he will not leave the ADC if things do not go in his favour, Obi said he does not have much time left in politics and cannot afford to preach change while doing the same things he criticizes.
He stated clearly that he has never been involved in any form of election rigging, whether during party primaries or at any level. He added that he has always stood for due process and has consistently followed legal and judicial procedures.
Obi also revealed that he is working with key northern political figures such as Nasir El-Rufai and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, along with other leaders from the region, to build support. He expressed confidence in his ability to transform Northern Nigeria, saying no one else can achieve what he plans to do there.
According to him, the North holds Nigeria’s greatest asset because of its vast land, which can be used for agriculture. He said the country can generate more revenue from agriculture than from oil if the sector is properly developed.
Speaking on his exit from the Peoples Democratic Party in 2022, Obi said he left because people were no longer playing by the rules and the process had become transactional. He insisted he could not be part of a system where decisions were driven by deals instead of fairness.
When it was pointed out that he is now in the ADC with some of the same people he criticized in the PDP, Obi admitted that the individuals may be the same, but said the difference lies in the process. He maintained that as long as the process remains fair, he will stay, but if it is compromised again, he will speak out.
