Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has officially defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a party backed by a broad political coalition.

The former Anambra State governor announced his defection on Tuesday during an event held at the Nike Lake Resort in Enugu.

Speaking at the gathering, Obi said the move was driven by a renewed sense of hope and urgency ahead of the next general elections. “We are ending this year with the hope that in 2026 we will begin a rescue journey,” he stated.

He also pledged to challenge electoral malpractice through legal means, saying, “We will resist rigging of elections by every lawful means in 2027.”

Obi stressed the importance of early preparation, particularly on compliance with electoral laws. “We still have a one-year window for everyone to go and verify the schools they attended. We do not want to return to court again only to be told it is a pre-election matter. The pre-election process should start now,” he added.

The event was attended by several party leaders, including the national chairman of the ADC, Senator David Mark, underscoring the growing momentum behind the coalition.