Former presidential candidate and ex-Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, has reignited political controversy after declaring that his exit from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) mirrors his earlier departure from the Labour Party, blaming what he described as “orchestrated crises” designed to edge him out of relevance.

In a statement posted on his X (formerly Twitter) account on Monday, Obi argued that Nigeria’s worsening condition and what he framed as a deliberate effort to weaken opposition voices forced his latest political realignment.

The former governor did not mince words, alleging that internal litigations and party instability are not accidental but part of a broader pattern aimed at frustrating credible participation in Nigeria’s electoral system.

“I left the ADC for the same reason I left the Labour Party: the severe, orchestrated litigation and internal crises,” he declared, suggesting a recurring political playbook that undermines reform-minded actors.

Obi also took a swipe at the current administration under Bola Tinubu, urging the Federal Government to stop what he implied was indirect encouragement of factional disputes within political parties.

He warned that allowing unresolved legal battles and internal sabotage to fester within opposition parties could weaken democracy itself, turning it into what he described as “a weapon against the people.”

According to Obi, his decision to align with the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) alongside Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso is not a retreat but a continuation of a long-standing ideological mission.

“Yesterday, I formally joined the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), alongside my dear brother… with one clear purpose: to continue the struggle for a new Nigeria,” he stated.

He insisted the move was not driven by personal ambition or political convenience but by what he described as the urgent need to “rescue Nigeria from a dangerous path,” painting a grim picture of the country’s socio-economic reality.

Obi listed rising poverty, deepening hunger, insecurity, and collapsing businesses as evidence of systemic failure, arguing that Nigerians are increasingly losing faith in governance.

He further criticised the political culture, saying it prioritises control and exclusion over service and nation-building, while also hinting at betrayal within alliances where public support does not always translate to private loyalty.

Despite his exit, Obi expressed appreciation to ADC leaders, including David Mark and Atiku Abubakar, carefully distancing his decision from personal grievances while still pointing to structural dysfunction within the party.

He emphasised that joining the NDC does not signal a shift in values but rather an attempt to sustain what he called a consistent push for justice, accountability, and people-focused governance.

“Our decision… is not an abandonment of values, but a continuation of the same mission,” he said, framing the move as ideological persistence rather than political opportunism.

Obi concluded by calling on Nigerians, particularly youths and women, to remain hopeful, even as he acknowledged the scale of disillusionment across the country.

However, critics argue that his repeated party exits may raise questions about political stability and long-term strategy, even as supporters see his statements as a bold exposure of systemic manipulation within Nigeria’s political space