Former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has announced his resignation from the African Democratic Congress, citing deepening internal wrangling and what he described as a hostile political climate.
Obi disclosed his decision in a statement shared on Sunday via his X handle, where he decried what he termed the increasingly “toxic” nature of Nigeria’s political environment and the mounting pressure on public figures.
The former Anambra State governor, however, clarified that his exit was not borne out of personal differences with key figures in the party, including its National Chairman, David Mark, and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, both of whom he said he still holds in high regard.
According to him, persistent internal disputes and external interference influenced his decision, noting that the situation within the party was beginning to resemble the challenges he previously faced in the Labour Party.
He alleged that the same forces responsible for crises in his former political platform were now infiltrating the ADC.
“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,” he said.
Obi further pointed to ongoing litigations, factional divisions, and a growing climate of distrust within the party, stressing that such issues were diverting attention from critical national concerns.
He also lamented a political culture where virtues such as integrity, humility, and service are often misconstrued as weakness, adding that individuals acting in good faith frequently face misrepresentation and undue criticism.
“Even within spaces where one labours sincerely, one is sometimes treated like an outsider,” he said, noting that he and his associates had repeatedly been made scapegoats despite their contributions.
Obi maintained that his political aspiration was not driven by personal ambition for office but by a commitment to building a functional and equitable society.
“I am not desperate to be President, Vice President, or Senate President. I am desperate to see a society that works for all,” he stated.
Despite his resignation, the former governor reaffirmed his commitment to Nigeria’s progress, expressing optimism that the country could still attain leadership founded on justice, compassion, and equal opportunity.
“A new Nigeria is possible,” he added.