‘We Have Been Looted Into Poverty’ – Peter Obi Joins ADC, Calls for National Rescue

In a seismic shift for Nigerian politics, Peter Obi has officially joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC), signaling the birth of a formidable broad-based coalition aimed at unseating the current establishment.

Speaking at a high-profile gathering in Enugu, Obi was flanked by a “who’s who” of Nigerian political heavyweights, including former Senate President David Mark, former Sokoto Governor Aminu Tambuwal, and several former governors and senators such as Emeka Ihedioha, Enyinnaya Abaribe, and Victor Umeh. This diverse lineup underscores a strategy to move beyond regional politics and form a “patriotic coalition” capable of national transformation.

Obi delivered a blistering critique of the status quo, dismissing the notion that Nigeria is naturally a poor country. He pointed instead to systemic failure and “deliberate sabotage” by a political class that exploits the people. “Nigeria’s challenges do not stem from a lack of potential,” Obi stated. “We are not poor; we have been looted into poverty.

The existing system rewards mediocrity, punishes merit, and recycles failure.” He emphasized that the country is currently “suffocating under impunity,” where the government rewards illegalities, and called for an urgent disruption of “formalized criminality” in governance.

The pillar of Obi’s vision for a “New Nigeria” remains the structural shift from a consumption-led economy to a production-led economy. He highlighted agriculture and manufacturing as the primary engines for growth, asserting that a focus on these sectors will tackle inflation, insecurity, and unemployment. By transitioning to a state of production, Obi believes Nigeria can finally achieve inclusive development.

In a direct appeal, Obi urged his massive support base—the Obidient Movement—and members of other opposition parties to unite under the ADC banner. He framed this move not as a mere party change, but as a historical turning point for national renewal. “The choice before us is between continuing the cycle of decay or embracing the courage to disrupt it,” Obi concluded.