The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has explained why he left the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
ThelensNG reports that Obi is expected to join the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) later today.
In a statement released on Sunday, Obi noted that many people do not truly understand the silent pain others carry daily — the private struggles, emotional burdens, and quiet battles they 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 — a society where intimidation, insecurity, endless scrutiny, and discouragement have become normal.
“More painful is when some of those you associate with, believing you would find understanding and solidarity among them, become part of the pressure you face. Some who publicly identify with you privately distance themselves or join in unfair criticism. We live in a society where humility is mistaken for weakness, respect is seen as a lack of courage, and compassion is treated as foolishness — a system where treating people equally is questioned simply because you refuse to worship status, tribe, class, or power,” he said.
Obi stated that he has never looked down on anyone except to uplift them and has never used privilege, position, or resources to oppress others, intimidate the weak, or make people feel small.
“To me, leadership has always been about service, sacrifice, and helping 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.”
Obi lamented that even within spaces where he works sincerely, he is sometimes treated like an outsider in his own home.
“You and your team become easy targets for every failure, frustration, or misunderstanding, as though honest contribution has become a favour being tolerated rather than appreciated. And when you choose to leave so that those you are leaving can have peace, and you step out into the cold, you are still maligned and your character is questioned.
“Despite all your efforts to continue working for a better Nigeria and engaging people with sincerity and goodwill, those who do not wish you well continue to attack your character and question your intentions,” he remarked.
Obi also questioned why doing the right thing is often misconstrued as wrongdoing in Nigeria, why integrity is not valued, and why prudent management of resources — especially when invested in critical areas such as education and healthcare is wrongly labelled as stinginess.
“Why are humility and obedience to the rule of law often taken to be weakness rather than discipline?” he asked.
Obi further stated that he is not desperate to be President, Vice President, or Senate President.
However, he affirmed that he is 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.”
He expressed confidence that Nigeria can still become a country with competent leadership based on justice, compassion, and equal opportunity for all.
