A faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has officially rejected the defection of Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, to their party. The group, led by Chief Kingsley Ogga, declared his recent registration in Enugu State as “null and void.” They argued that the process bypassed the party’s authentic leadership and constitutional requirements, creating a legitimacy crisis within the organization.
The factional leadership disowned the registration exercise held in Enugu, describing it as a “charade” orchestrated by individuals without the authority to admit high-profile members. Ogga emphasized that for a personality of Obi’s stature to join, the National Working Committee must be involved. He stated, “Peter Obi is not a member of the ADC as far as we are concerned. You cannot join a party through the back door.”
The group further warned that the ongoing leadership tussle within the ADC remains unresolved, casting doubt on the legality of any new alignments for the 2027 elections. They insisted that the party would not be “hijacked” by outsiders or “political merchants” seeking a platform without following due process. The faction maintained that until internal legal disputes are settled, such high-profile inductions remain illegitimate and unenforceable.