Peter Obi cites principles for leaving APGA and PDP in interview

Former Anambra State governor and National Democratic Congress (NDC) chieftain Peter Obi clarified the motivations behind his departures from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in a recent interview with News Central TV.

Obi said his political moves have been dictated by principle rather than personal ambition. “Some men change parties because of their principles; others change their principles for the sake of their party,” he remarked. “For me, I changed party because of my principle, because I was in a system that no longer reflected what I believe or want to practice.”

He explained that his exit from APGA was not voluntary. “I left APGA because I was forced to leave,” Obi stated, indicating internal pressures that made his continued membership untenable. His decision to quit the PDP, by contrast, was a matter of conscience. “I left PDP because of my principles,” he affirmed, adding that a political journey cannot be pursued if the process erodes one’s foundational values.

Obi’s comments come amid ongoing realignments within Nigeria’s opposition landscape, where former incumbents and party stalwarts are reshaping alliances ahead of forthcoming electoral cycles. While he did not disclose specific future plans, the former governor underscored that any new political direction will be guided by the same adherence to principle that motivated his previous exits.

Analysts note that Obi’s emphasis on principle over party loyalty could resonate with a segment of the electorate increasingly skeptical of opportunistic party switching. Whether his stance will translate into tangible support for the NDC or influence broader opposition dynamics remains to be seen.

The interview highlights a broader trend of veteran politicians reassessing their affiliations in light of internal party disputes and ideological divergence, signalling a potentially volatile period for Nigeria’s multiparty system.