Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Mr.Peter Obi and a former Governor of Kano state, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, have formally joined the newly registered Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

The two politicians had earlier on Sunday announced their resignation from the African Democratic Congress, ADC.

The National Leader of ​NDC Senator Seriake Dickson announced that Obi and Kwankwaso joined NDC during a press conference in Abuja, which was attended by both politicians.

Dickson remarked that the partnership of Obi and Kwankwaso would make Nigeria “OK,” using the abbreviation of their surnames.

​Other political heavyweights present at the unveiling included Aisha Binani, the All Progressives Congress (APC) 2023 governorship candidate for Adamawa; Senator Victor Umeh, representing Anambra Central; and Kwankwaso’s ally, Buba Galadima.

​In his address, Kwankwaso stated that the NDC’s ideology, which focuses on education and empowerment, aligns with his own.

Obi added that he and Kwankwaso would collaborate with NDC stakeholders to build a Nigeria that works for everyone.

He also urged the government not to interfere with the NDC, alleging past interference with the NNPP, Labour Party, and the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, says his planned engagement with policy and institutional stakeholders in the United States will centre on Nigeria’s worsening security, economic, and governance challenges.

His Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, disclosed this in a statement shared on his X handle on Sunday, noting that the former Vice President intends to draw international attention to what he described as a deepening national crisis.

Atiku, who served as Vice President between 1999 and 2007, said Nigeria is currently grappling with widespread insecurity, including persistent violence in the North-West, North-East, and parts of the Middle Belt, alongside rising cases of kidnapping and criminal activity across the country.

He warned that the situation reflects a systemic breakdown in governance, arguing that the state is increasingly struggling to fulfil its primary responsibility of protecting lives and property.

According to him, communities are being displaced, livelihoods destroyed, and citizens left vulnerable amid escalating insecurity.

Atiku also raised concerns over the country’s economic conditions, citing rising inflation, currency depreciation, and declining purchasing power, which he said have placed severe hardship on Nigerians.

He attributed the situation to policy inconsistency and lack of clear economic direction, adding that public confidence in governance is weakening.

On democratic governance, the former Vice President expressed concern about declining trust in institutions and warned that any attempt to undermine electoral integrity in the upcoming election cycle could further threaten national stability.

Responding to possible criticism of his international engagements, Atiku maintained that discussing Nigeria’s challenges abroad does not amount to unpatriotic behaviour, insisting that global engagement is necessary given the country’s strategic importance.

He also urged the current administration to urgently reassess its priorities, strengthen public trust, and adopt clearer strategies to address insecurity and economic decline.

Atiku further called on Nigerians to remain vigilant and actively demand accountability, stressing that meaningful change must come from within the country.

He concluded that Nigeria is at a critical turning point, warning that the nation must either confront its challenges decisively or risk further instability.

Former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has confirmed his resignation from the African Democratic Congress, ADC.

He blamed his exit on the deepening internal crises and a hostile political environment.

Obi made the disclosure in a personal statement on Sunday, on his X platform, where he reflected on what he described as the “toxic” nature of Nigeria’s political space and the pressures faced by public figures.

He clarified that his decision was not due to any personal grievances with key leaders of the party, including its National Chairman, David Mark, or former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, whom he said he continued to respect.

According to him, his exit was driven by recurring internal conflicts and external pressures that he said were beginning to mirror the challenges he previously encountered in the Labour Party.

His full speech below:

“Fellow Nigerians,

I woke up this morning after my church service with a deeply reflective heart, and despite every constraint, I felt compelled to share these thoughts with you.

Many people do not truly understand the silent pains some of us carry daily—the private struggles, emotional burdens, and quiet battles we face while trying to survive and serve sincerely in difficult circumstances.

We now live in an environment that has become increasingly toxic, where the very system that should protect and create opportunities for decent living often works against the people—a society where intimidation, insecurity, endless scrutiny, and discouragement have become normal.

More painful is when some of those you associate with, believing you would find understanding and solidarity among them, become part of the pressure you face. Some who publicly identify with you privately distance themselves or join in unfair criticism.

We live in a society where humility is mistaken for weakness, respect is seen as a lack of courage, and compassion is treated as foolishness—a system where treating people equally is questioned simply because you refuse to worship status, tribe, class, or power.

Personally, I have never looked down on anyone except to uplift them. I have never used privilege, position, or resources to oppress others, intimidate the weak, or make people feel small. To me, leadership has always been about service, sacrifice, and helping others rise.

Let me state clearly: my decision to leave the ADC is not because our highly respected Chairman, Senator David Mark, treated me badly, nor because my leader and elder brother, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, or any other respected leaders did anything personally wrong to me. I will continue to respect them.

However, the same Nigerian state and its agents that created unnecessary crises and hostility within the Labour Party that forced me to leave now appear to be finding their way into the ADC, with endless court cases, internal battles, suspicion, and division, instead of focusing on deeper national problems and playing politics built more on control and exclusion than on service and nation-building.

Even within spaces where one labours sincerely, one is sometimes treated like an outsider in one’s own home. You and your team become easy targets for every failure, frustration, or misunderstanding, as though honest contribution has become a favour being tolerated rather than appreciated.

And when you choose to leave so that those you are leaving can have peace, and you step out into the cold, you are still maligned and your character is questioned. Despite all your efforts to continue working for a better Nigeria and engaging people with sincerity and goodwill, those who do not wish you well continue to attack your character and question your intentions.

There are moments I ask God in prayer: Why is doing the right thing often misconstrued as wrongdoing in our country? Why is integrity not valued? Why is the prudent management of resources, especially when invested in critical areas like education and healthcare, wrongly labelled as stinginess? Why are humility and obedience to the rule of law often taken to be weakness rather than discipline?

Let me assure all that I am not desperate to be President, Vice President, or Senate President. I am desperate to see a society that can console a mother whose child has been kidnapped or killed while going to school or work. I am desperate to see a Nigeria where people will not live in IDP camps but in their homes. I am desperate for a country where Nigerian citizens do not go to bed hungry, not knowing where their next meal will come from.

Yet, despite everything, I remain resolute. I firmly believe that Nigeria can still become a country with competent leadership based on justice, compassion, and equal opportunity for all.