The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has formally registered as a member of the African Democratic Congress, (ADC).
Obi, who completed his registration in his hometown of Agulu in Aniocha LGA of Anambra State on Saturday, said he would challenge the newly-passed Electoral Act 2026 in court over what he described as attempts to manipulate the outcome of the 2027 general elections. He alleged that provisions of the new electoral law were designed to facilitate electoral manipulation and undermine the credibility of future elections.
The former governor of Anambra State accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of overstepping its constitutional role by attempting to interfere in how political parties conduct their internal processes.
According to him, the electoral body should focus on conducting credible elections rather than dictating how parties select their candidates. He said, “I am going to challenge the decision in court; INEC has no reason to assume processes in how political parties elect their candidates. Its responsibility is to conduct elections. “You don’t tell a team how to prepare its players before a match. As a referee, INEC’s role is to officiate, not to determine which players a team should field”, he added.
Obi said the provisions of the new law appeared designed to favour the ruling party in the next general election. “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”, he alleged. He urged party members and supporters to intensify grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 polls.
Obi also criticised the current socio-economic conditions, describing the country as one of the poorest globally despite its vast resources.
Also speaking at the event, the ADC candidate in the November 8, 2025 Anambra governorship election, John Nwosu, described Obi’s registration as a significant milestone for the party. “This is a day of joy. The journey of Obi to the presidency begins today”, Nwosu said. He urged party members to close ranks and avoid internal divisions ahead of future elections.
