Labour Party Interim Leadership Backs Obi’s Defection to ADC

The Nenadi Usman-led interim leadership of the Labour Party (LP) has declared its support for the defection of the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

This was disclosed in a statement issued late Wednesday in Abuja by Usman’s Special Adviser on Media, Ken Asogwa.

According to the statement, the interim leadership noted that Obi had enjoyed the party’s backing to participate in coalition talks from the outset.

Usman recalled that on May 26, 2025, the Labour Party formally gave its approval for Obi to join the ADC-led opposition coalition.

She added that the party has not withdrawn its initial support following Obi’s eventual formalisation of his entry into the ADC.

The interim leadership stated that while the Labour Party continues its struggle to reclaim the party from what it described as the stranglehold of entrenched interests bent on imposing a one-party system, members across the country should not be alarmed by recent developments.

“We give Peter Obi our full support as he joined the ADC. Following Mr Obi’s anticipated exit, all statutory organs of the Labour Party will convene to chart a fresh and sustainable course for the party,” the statement said.

Usman expressed confidence that the fortunes of the party would be revitalised in no time.

“Even as the party works assiduously to fill the void created by the recent wave of defections, we reassure our members that the Labour Party will return stronger, better organised, and more focused,” she said.

She further explained that the ongoing membership revalidation and registration exercise is aimed at injecting new energy into the party, noting that the exercise is already yielding positive results.