A professor of Political Science at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Prof. Jonah Onuoha, has said that the defection of former Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, to the African Democratic Party (ADC) is unlikely to alter Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Onuoha made this assertion in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Nsukka on Friday, while reacting to Obi’s decision to formally leave the Labour Party and join the ADC on December 31, 2025.
The political scientist argued that Obi’s impressive performance in the 2023 elections, particularly in the South-East where the Labour Party recorded notable victories, would be difficult to replicate in 2027.
According to him, the Obidient movement that powered Obi’s unexpected surge in the last election has significantly weakened and may not be revived before the next polls.
“I don’t see Obi’s defection to ADC changing the narrative of electoral victories in the South-East or nationally in 2027,” Onuoha said.
“The Obidient spirit that produced the 2023 momentum has largely died and will be difficult to resurrect before the general elections.”
He noted that many Nigerians became demoralised after their expectations from the 2023 elections were not met, leading to a decline in enthusiasm and grassroots mobilisation that once defined the movement.
Onuoha further suggested that the weakening of the Obidient movement may have influenced Obi’s decision to dump the Labour Party for the ADC.
Looking ahead to 2027, the UNN don predicted that the presidential contest would be dominated by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the ADC, stressing that the outcome would depend largely on the strength and credibility of the candidates presented by both parties.
He, however, called on political actors to exercise restraint, urging them to place national unity above personal ambition and avoid statements or actions capable of overheating the polity as the next election cycle approaches.
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