The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has formally registered as a member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), signaling a major political move ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Obi completed his registration on Saturday in his hometown of Agulu in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State.
Shortly after registering, the former Anambra State governor announced that he would challenge the newly passed Electoral Act 2026 in court.
According to him, certain provisions in the law could undermine the credibility of the 2027 elections.
The new law was recently passed by the National Assembly and is expected to guide the conduct of future elections in the country.
Obi, however, said he believes parts of the law may give room for manipulation of election outcomes.
Speaking after registering with the ADC, Obi said he plans to file a legal challenge against the Electoral Act 2026.
He argued that some sections of the law appear to give excessive powers to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
According to him, the electoral body should focus on conducting free and fair elections rather than interfering in how political parties manage their internal affairs.
“I am going to challenge the decision in court,” Obi said.
“INEC has no reason to assume processes in how political parties elect their candidates. Its responsibility is to conduct elections.”
He compared the role of the electoral commission to that of a referee in a football match.
“You don’t tell a team how to prepare its players before a match,” he said.
“As a referee, INEC’s role is to officiate, not to determine which players a team should field.”
Obi argued that political parties should be allowed to decide how they select their candidates, as long as the process follows democratic principles.
The former governor also alleged that the timing and content of the Electoral Act 2026 raise concerns about the fairness of the 2027 general elections.
He claimed that some of the changes could benefit the ruling party.
Nigeria is currently governed by President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“All the laws being hurriedly created are simply aimed at enabling the ruling party to snatch the 2027 presidential election and run away with it,” Obi alleged.
He said the opposition must remain alert and united to ensure that the electoral process remains credible.
Obi’s registration with the African Democratic Congress marks a significant development in Nigeria’s opposition politics.
He contested the 2023 presidential election under the Labour Party, where he gained strong support from young voters and urban residents.
Although he did not win the election, his campaign attracted national attention and helped increase political participation among many Nigerians.
Since the 2023 election, there have been discussions among opposition politicians about forming alliances to challenge the ruling party in future elections.
Obi’s move to the ADC is seen by some observers as part of broader efforts to build a stronger political platform ahead of 2027.
The ADC is one of Nigeria’s registered political parties, though it has not previously won a presidential election.
Party leaders have in recent years expressed interest in forming coalitions with other opposition groups.
During the event in Agulu, Obi urged party members and supporters to begin mobilising voters at the grassroots level.
He stressed that early preparation would be important for the next general election.
According to him, voter registration and participation will play a key role in determining the outcome of future elections.
“We have about 2.8 million registered voters in Anambra,” he said.
“I urge everyone to go to the grassroots and mobilise people to register and be ready to vote.”
Nigeria’s elections are often decided by voter turnout, which has historically been low in many parts of the country.
Analysts say increasing participation among young voters could influence the political landscape in future elections.
Obi also spoke about the need for unity among opposition parties across the country.
He said political leaders from the South-East region are already holding discussions with groups from other parts of Nigeria.
According to him, the aim is to create a stronger and more coordinated opposition ahead of the 2027 elections.
“In this journey of 2027, we in the South-East are working as a family and discussing with other regions,” he said.
“The goal is to unite the opposition and create a new Nigeria.”
He highlighted that the South-East region remains an important part of the country’s political structure.
“The South-East is part of Nigeria and no region is more Nigerian than the South-East,” Obi added.
The former governor also used the occasion to express concern about Nigeria’s economic situation.
He said the country’s large population and natural resources should translate into better living conditions for citizens.
However, he argued that many Nigerians are currently struggling with poverty and economic hardship.
“We cannot continue in an era where Nigeria has become one of the worst five countries in the world and the poverty capital of the world,” Obi said.
Nigeria has faced rising inflation, unemployment, and currency challenges in recent years.
Many households have also experienced increased costs for food, fuel, and transportation.
Nigeria has carried out several electoral reforms since the return to democratic rule in 1999.
These reforms have focused on improving transparency, strengthening the electoral commission, and reducing electoral fraud.
In recent years, the introduction of technologies such as electronic voter accreditation and digital transmission of results has been aimed at improving the credibility of elections.
However, disagreements often arise over new rules governing party primaries, candidate nominations, and election procedures.
Political parties sometimes challenge these provisions in court when they believe the rules affect their chances in elections.
With more than a year before the next general elections, political activities across the country are already beginning to gather momentum.
For Obi and his supporters, the focus appears to be on building a broad coalition and challenging policies they believe may affect electoral fairness.
Whether his planned court challenge will succeed remains to be seen.
