ABUJA, Nigeria — Former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi has formally joined the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), pleading with supporters to avoid the internal litigation that has historically crippled opposition movements in the country.
His entry into the party, alongside former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, follows his recent exit from the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Mr. Obi previously cited a “toxic” environment of endless legal disputes as his reason for leaving his former platform.
A Plea for Unity
In a video circulating on Sunday, Mr. Obi was seen receiving his new membership card at the Abuja residence of the party’s National Leader, Seriake Dickson. Addressing a crowd of supporters, he urged members to prioritise party-building over personal legal grievances.
“Please let there be no litigation. Party members, please don’t go to court,” he told the gathering. “We are pleading with the judiciary. Please end cases in the party so we can face the job of building a new Nigeria.”
The appeal highlights growing concerns among opposition figures that intra-party disputes could undermine their efforts to form a cohesive front ahead of the 2027 general elections.
A Growing Coalition
The alliance between Mr. Obi and Mr. Kwankwaso—leaders of the “Obi-Kwankwaso Movement”—signals an intensifying realignment within Nigeria’s opposition space.
The meeting in Abuja’s Guzape district is viewed as a major step toward consolidating forces against the ruling party. Mr. Obi framed the move as part of a vision to create a merit-based society “where a child of nobody can be somebody without knowing anybody”.
Ambition vs. Service
Responding to questions about his frequent shifts in political affiliation, Mr. Obi maintained that his actions are driven by national interest rather than a “desperate” search for office.
“I am not desperate to be president, vice president, or Senate president,” he reiterated. “I am desperate to see a Nigeria where people can live in dignity, without hunger, fear, or displacement.”
He warned that while the door is open for reform-minded leaders, discipline will be enforced to prevent the new party from descending into the same instability that forced his departure from previous platforms.
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