The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has launched a strong critique against the former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, following his formal defection to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
APC Labels Defection as Calculated Move
In a statement issued on 31 December 2025, the party described Obi's decision as a politically calculated maneuver rather than a genuine shift in ideology. The Lagos APC argued that this move marks the end of what it called "the pretence of political independence," revealing a coalition it believes is driven by personal grievances and ambition.
The party suggested that the timing and setting of Obi's declaration were deliberate and symbolic, noting that close observers of Nigeria's political landscape were not surprised by the development.
History of Party Switches and Ideological Concerns
The APC statement pointed to Peter Obi's political history, highlighting a pattern of frequent party switches which, according to the party, undermines any claims of principled opposition. It characterized his latest move as reinforcing concerns about "convenience politics" instead of demonstrating a commitment to internal democracy or consistent ideology.
Furthermore, the Lagos chapter accused the ADC of serving merely as a platform for disparate political interests united primarily by their opposition to the ruling party, rather than by shared policy ideas or a clear ideological foundation.
Contrasting Visions: APC's Defense and Opposition Critique
While criticizing the opposition, the Lagos APC vigorously defended the APC-led Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu. The party stated that the administration remains focused on key national priorities including economic stabilisation, institutional reforms, and restoring investor confidence.
The statement contrasted this focus with what it described as the opposition's reliance on misinformation and pessimism regarding the country's challenges. The APC also raised concerns about the opposition coalition's perceived silence on critical issues of national security, particularly terrorism, arguing that those seeking national leadership must take clear positions on matters affecting citizen safety.
The Lagos APC reiterated its confidence in the ruling party's Renewed Hope Agenda, expressing optimism that Nigerians would, at the polls, reject what it termed "politics of disruption" in favor of governance and stability.
The party's statement included several pointed remarks: "What has occurred is not political evolution; it is the public activation of a coalition forged in grievance, sustained by falsehood, and animated by an unhealthy appetite for national dislocation."
It also questioned the ideological basis of the new alignment: "Let us be clear: the ADC has not discovered ideology overnight. It has merely confirmed its true identity as a political scrapyard where rejected ambitions, electoral failures, and serial aspirants converge... This is not a coalition of ideas; it is a cartel of convenience."
Regarding Peter Obi's role, the APC statement speculated: "Indeed, Nigerians cannot but wonder when Mr Peter Obi will summon the courage to inform his handful of sympathisers that he has already agreed in principle to serve as a running mate to a pre-determined, perennial presidential candidate..."
