Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has officially joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and immediately declared his intention to challenge the newly passed Electoral Act 2026 in court, describing it as a tool designed to manipulate the outcome of the forthcoming 2027 general elections.
Obi completed his registration in his hometown of Agulu, Aniocha Local Government Area of Anambra State, on Saturday. Speaking shortly after the exercise, the former Anambra State governor accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of overstepping its constitutional bounds by attempting to dictate how political parties conduct their internal processes.
Drawing a parallel with a sporting event, Obi argued that INEC’s role should be limited to that of an impartial official.
“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 stated.
The Labour Party’s 2023 standard bearer alleged that the provisions of the new electoral law were hastily crafted to favour the ruling party. “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 claimed.
Beyond his legal challenge, Obi used the platform to call for intensified grassroots mobilization and political unity among opposition groups ahead of the 2027 polls. He revealed that the South-East is working collaboratively with other regions to build a formidable coalition.
“In this journey of 2027, we in the South-East are working as a family and discussing with other regions. The goal is to unite the opposition and create a new Nigeria. The South-East is part of Nigeria and no region is more Nigerian than the South-East,” Obi added.
He also framed his political mission within the context of Nigeria’s current socio-economic challenges, stating his commitment to building a nation where opportunities are not determined by connections.
The event was hailed as a significant milestone by ADC leaders. The party’s National Organising Secretary, Chinedu Idigo, outlined plans for a hybrid membership registration drive and confirmed the party would adopt a direct primary system for selecting candidates.
The ADC governorship candidate for the upcoming Anambra election, John Nwosu, declared, “This is a day of joy. The journey of Obi to the presidency begins today.”
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