Olushola Omogbehin
Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has announced his exit from the African Democratic Congress, ADC, attributing his decision to the worsening internal crises within the party.
Disclosing this on his X handle on Sunday, Obi said his decision followed deep personal reflection and “silent pains” he had been carrying while navigating Nigeria’s political environment.
Obi who described the country’s system as increasingly toxic, said insecurity, intimidation amd more undermines sincere public service.
“We now live in an environment that has become increasingly toxic, where the system that should protect and create opportunities often works against the people,” he said.
Obi also said he had been subjected to unfair criticism and internal pressure within political spaces he previously joined in search of solidarity and reform-minded leadership.
“Some who publicly identify with you privately distance themselves or join in unfair criticism,” he stated.
He also maintained that his departure from the ADC was not due to personal issues with the party leadership, including former Senate President David Mark or former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, both of whom he said he continues to respect.
Lamenting that Nigeria is a society where humility is mistaken for weakness and respect, as a lack of courage, Obi stated clearly that he had never looked down on anyone except to uplift people.
He also maintained that he had never used any privilege, position, or resources to oppress others, intimidate the weak, or make people feel small but has always served and helped others rise.
“Let me state clearly: my decision to leave the ADC is not because our highly respected Chairman, Senator David Mark, treated me badly, nor because my leader and elder brother, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, or any other respected leaders did anything personally wrong to me. I will continue to respect them.
“However, 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, with endless court cases, internal battles, suspicion, and division, instead of focusing on deeper national problems and playing politics built more on control and exclusion than on service and nation-building.
“Let me assure all that I am not desperate to be President, Vice President, or Senate President. I am desperate to see a society that can console a mother whose child has been kidnapped or killed while going to school or work.
“I am desperate to see a Nigeria where people will not live in IDP camps but in their homes. I am desperate for a country where Nigerian citizens do not go to bed hungry, not knowing where their next meal will come from.
“Yet, despite everything, I remain resolute. I firmly believe that Nigeria can still become a country with competent leadership based on justice, compassion, and equal opportunity for all.
“I woke up this morning after my church service with a deeply reflective heart, and despite every constraint, I felt compelled to share these thoughts with you.
“Many people do not truly understand the silent pains some of us carry daily—the private struggles, emotional burdens, and quiet battles we face while trying to survive and serve sincerely in difficult circumstances.
“We now live in an environment that has become increasingly toxic, where the very system that should protect and create opportunities for decent living often works against the people.”
