Mr Peter Obi
* We regret fielding him in 2023 says Labour Party
By John Egie
The registration of Peter Obi the presidential candidate of Labour Party in the 2023 election has been declared irregular and invalid.
National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, ADC , Nafiu Gombe who also leads a faction of the party made the declaration yesterday, Thursday, January 1, 2026 in a statement issued in Abuja.
The statement distanced the party from the reported defection of Peter Obi from the Labour Party to the African Democratic Congress.
Peter Obi announced his recent defection from LP to ADC at an event held at the Nike Lake Resort in Enugu, Enugu State. Peter Obi was a one time governor of Anambra state.
But in a New Year message issued in Abuja, Nafiu Gombe made clarification of misleading information circulating in the public domain regarding the party’s membership registration process.
He said as a disciplined organisation, the ADC adhers strictly to its constitution stressing that membership registration process is clearly defined in the constitution.
For him, Peter Obi’s reported membership registration at the party zonal office in Enugu does not align with the constitutional procedures stipulated for membership registration into the African Democratic Congress.
“The process of registering with the ADC is outlined as follows: ward registration; prospective members must register at their respective ward levels within their state of origin or residence. This is the primary and constitutionally recognised point of entry.
” On documentation and issuance of membership card, upon successful registration at the ward level, a validated party membership card is issued.”
According to him the party constitution does not allow registration at zonal or national offices.
” Any registration carried out contrary to this provision is considered irregular and invalid.”
The party said it was investigating the breach of due membership registration process and urged party supporters and the general public to disregard claims suggesting alternative channels for the party registration.
The Labour Party National Publicity Secretary. Obiora Ifoh said in a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday, December 31, 2025 that the party regretted feeling Peter Obi as its presidential candidate in 2023 election.
According to him, Obi’s exit only formalised a political separation that had existed for months amid a leadership crisis in the party.
Credit: PUNCH
About Author
