A faction of the Labour Party in Edo State has defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), citing a strategic shift to support former Anambra State governor Peter Obi’s presidential ambitions.
Olumide Akpata, the former Labour Party governorship candidate in Edo State, made the disclosure during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, monitored on Wednesday. Akpata, who was formally received into the ADC earlier in the week, explained that the decision followed a December 31 meeting where a key group leader first moved to the ADC.
“Those of us in the Edo State Labour Party sat down and decided that the journey to a better Nigeria that we think is possible would be best traveled on this platform to continue to support Peter Obi,” Akpata stated. He added that the group believed supporting Obi within the Labour Party structure would be ineffective if it did not help him secure the ADC’s presidential ticket.
The defection event included a claim of an assassination attempt on Obi and other ADC leaders, a point raised during the ADC reception ceremony. No independent verification of that specific claim was provided in the broadcast.
The ADC is a minor political party in Nigeria. Obi, a prominent opposition figure who ran for president under the Labour Party in the 2023 general election, has not formally declared his candidacy for the 2027 race but remains a significant figure in discussions about Nigeria’s political opposition.
Akpata’s move highlights ongoing realignments among opposition groups as they position for future elections. The defection of a state-level candidate and his faction underscores the persistent challenges of party cohesion within Nigeria’s fragmented opposition landscape.
The development suggests that some erstwhile Labour Party activists are seeking alternative platforms to consolidate support for Obi, viewing the ADC as a more viable vehicle for his presidential aspirations. This shift may influence the opposition strategy in Edo State and potentially other regions as the 2027 election cycle approaches.
