Political Musing of Thursday May 7, 2026, by Ike Abonyi
“If Peter Obi moves out of ADC today, no Nigerian will be interested in them again, Obi is the only, traction, the only life in ADC”- Ayo Fayose.
In political discussions across the board, he is a constant topic; within the ruling party, he is a source of irritation; among the opposition, he is a focal point; and throughout the country’s six regions, he remains a central theme. Among seasoned politicians, his presence is unsettling; yet for the newer generation, he evokes enthusiasm. It’s difficult to engage in any political conversation in Nigeria today without referencing Peter Obi, whether it be in frustration from opponents or in delight from supporters. He is the undeniable leader of the movement and a significant force in shaping Nigerian politics, and ignoring his influence as we approach 2027 could be a mistake as long warned by the former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose, ‘underate Obi at your own peril’
The former Governor of Anambra State has been a pivotal figure in national politics since 2002, when he transitioned from a successful business career to dive into political life. This considerable shift was largely inspired by an American professor, Dean of the Kellogg School of Management in Chicago, USA, Prof. Donald Jacob, during an executive course. Prof Jacob who took a course on the Global Economy told Obi that a nation’s progress depends on having the right people in power and urged him to “Go back to your country and create public wealth. Africans want to accumulate individual wealth, lth but public wealth enriches everybody; individual wealth, on the other hand, lth impoverishes everybody. That parting advice from the Professor became the catalyst that propelled Peter Obi’s transformative involvement in Nigerian politics. That has helped him set a new standard for what selfless leadership should look like. His influence in any party he joins is significant, while those he departs from often experience a decline in political standing. This has led to considerable political turmoil since May 3, 2026, when he left the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which he had joined just a few months earlier on December 31, 2025, to align himself with a new party, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
Intriguingly, Peter Obi has emerged as a dynamic political figure who, despite his transformations, remains free from the corruption and outdated ideologies that often burden others in the field. Through his significant political shift to the NDC which he announced last Sunday during a press conference in Abuja, it’s evident that the fortunes of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) are already in decline, while those of the NDC are on the rise, signalling a change in dynamics. Critics may argue that Peter Obi is switching political parties as frequently as he changes hats, but they fail to explain the reasons behind his decisions, largely because they intend to undermine him. It’s worth noting that shifting allegiances is not exclusive to Obi; figures like Atiku Abubakar and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu have also changed parties for varied reasons. Whenever Peter Obi undertakes a political step, he aims to bring fresh ideas. For those unfamiliar, Obi’s political journey began with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2001. In 2002, concerned about the governance issues in Anambra under Dr Chinwoke Mbadinuju, he temporarily set aside his successful businesses in Lagos and the UK to engage in politics, joining the then ruling PDP. At that time, he was relatively unknown in a complex political landscape dominated by the PDP, where Governor Mbadinuju was having issues with public funds. Despite attending several PDP meetings, he was largely ignored and struggled to gain any recognition. Frustrated by the apparent snub, Obi switched to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), which offered him a gubernatorial ticket, while the PDP was dissatisfied with Mbadinuju’s first term in office and replaced him with Dr Chris Ngige. Although Obi won the election, the powerful PDP, with Olusegun Obasanjo as President, declared Ngige the victor. Obi contested this outcome in court, commuting between Lagos and Awka for nearly three years until he triumphed in the Supreme Court, a time when the judiciary was not overly influenced by political power. His second party switch occurred after his tenure as Anambra’s governor. Even as an opposition figure, then-President Goodluck Jonathan recognised Obi’s capabilities, appointing him to his economic team alongside prominent figures like Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and other egg-heads. Once his gubernatorial term ended, Obi realised that APGA could no longer provide the platform he needed for national service, leading him to rejoin the PDP, where he quickly became an asset for broader national engagement. Following his instrumental role at the PDP’s national convention in 2018, Obi was chosen as the running mate to Atiku Abubakar for the 2019 presidential election—Atiku’s best bid so far. Although Atiku was initially believed to have won that election, the then-incumbent Muhammadu Buhari’s administration sidelined him. Obi’s presence significantly bolstered Atiku’s campaign, benefiting from the then-favourable zoning situation. By 2023, however, political dynamics had changed, and Atiku ignoring both zoning and Obi chose to select a politically underperforming Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, who even lost his home state to Obi’s Labour Party due to frustrations within the PDP surrounding zoning policies.
Ahead of 2027, after Obi was frustrated out of the Labour Party amidst an internal crisis, he left on December 31, 2025. Shortly after his departure, the Labour Party through the court reinstated the Supreme Court’s previous ruling, demonstrating the effects of his exit. Upon joining the African Democratic Congress (ADC) at the end of 2025, the political conflicts instigated by the government in power shifted to ADC in pursuit of Obi. His transitions—first from PDP, where he first joined in 2001 to APGA in 2002, then back to PDP in 2006, onward to Labour Party in 2022, and finally to ADC—reflect his ongoing quest for a platform dedicated to serving the populace transparently. Obi’s motive behind each political shift has been consistent: seeking a platform that values his potential and commitment to serve the people. His tenure in Anambra is characterised by exceptional governance, as he left behind financial stability rather than debt, along with advancements in infrastructure, education, and healthcare. The persistent attacks against Obi on his pursuit of the presidency stem from the fears of corrupt elites who worry that his leadership might curtail their illicit practices. Yet, the Nigerian youth see in Obi a figure capable of securing their future and continue to stand firmly behind him. Their support is based on his track record rather than the political party, ethnicity, religion, or geographical affiliations. Currently, the political landscape appears chaotic, as it encapsulates a battle between corrupt elites keen on maintaining the status quo and the youth demanding an end to the rampant corruption in governance. The difference between right and wrong should be clear, but in Third World politics, it often becomes a complex game where divine principles and moral integrity are overshadowed. God have mercy.
