Peter Obi, one of Nigeria’s top opposition politicians has quit a coalition that planned to run against President Bola Tinubu in January 2027 elections, improving the incumbents chances of retaining power.
Obi, a popular figure among Nigeria’s young and urban voters, announced his decision to leave the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in a post on X Sunday, citing “endless court cases, internal battles, suspicion, and division.”
Obi joined the newly formed Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
The move is seen as improving Tinubu’s chances of retaining power in the elections scheduled for January, 2027.
In the 2023 election when Tinubu polled around 37% of the vote, Obi got 25% and former vice president Atiku Abubakar received 29%.
The exit comes after the ADC confirmed it would field a single candidate to face Tinubu on Jan. 16, without declaring who it would be. Both Obi and Abubakar expected to challenge the president’s bid for a second term.
Nigeria’s electoral body says that all parties wishing to compete in the elections must complete their primary processes by May 30, with campaigning set to begin in August.
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