The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has formally registered as a member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the party’s ongoing membership registration and mobilisation exercise, which commenced across the 21 local government areas of Anambra State on Saturday, March 7.
Obi, who completed his registration at his hometown in Agulu, in Anaocha LGA of Anambra State, on Saturday, vowed to challenge the newly-passed 2026 Electoral Act in court, alleging that it was deliberately designed to manipulate the outcome of the 2027 general elections.
The presidential hopeful said the provisions of the new electoral law were designed in a manner to facilitate electoral manipulation, adding that the Independent National Electoral Commission has now assumed the process of political party election, instead of focusing on conducting elections.
The former Anambra governor told his supporters and members of the party that the South-East region is working as a family for the purpose of the 2027 general elections, adding that no region is more Nigerian than the South-East.
He said, “Today, we are flagging off with our registration and mobilisation exercise. The 2027 general election will be between Nigerians against bad leadership. We are committed to a Nigeria where the child of a nobody can become somebody without knowing anybody.
“In this particular journey of 2027, we in the South-East are working as a family and we are discussing with other regions. We are working to unite all opposition. The common goal is to create a new Nigeria. The South-East is part of Nigeria, no region is more Nigerian than the South-East.
“We cannot continue in the era where Nigeria has become one of the worst five countries in the world. Nigeria has become the poverty capital of the world. We are committed to a new Nigeria where people are pulled out of poverty.
“They have been snatching ballot boxes in the past, but this time, we will ensure they don’t snatch and run with any ballot box, rather, we will catch them and count them out. The country cannot continue in that direction, which is taking us nowhere.
“We have about 2.8 million registered voters in the state, so I urge everyone of you to go to the grassroots and ensure that you mobilise members to register and be ready to vote.”
Obi further insisted that all the laws being hurriedly created by INEC are simply aimed at enabling the ruling party to snatch the 2027 presidential election and run away with it.
He also warned INEC against interfering in the internal affairs of political parties, insisting that it had no reason to assume processes in how a political party elects its candidates.
“INEC has no reason to now assume processes in how a political party elects their candidates, they should rather focus on conducting elections. You don’t tell a team how to prepare their players before a match.
“As a referee, INEC’s role is to officiate and not to tell the team which players to play. This is the worst situation Nigeria is going to, no one is talking about governance, all they are interested in is how they will snatch and run with the ballot box.
“A referee does not determine the rules, choices or line-up of players in teams or clubs. The electoral body should remain neutral and concentrate on its constitutional role of conducting credible elections,” he added.
He called on members and supporters of the ADC across the state to register at their respective wards, urging them to mobilise others to join the party.
“Go to your wards and register. Be fishers of men,” Obi charged.
Earlier, the chairman of the occasion, Ndi Obi, said the ADC would provide a platform where no member would be oppressed, stressing that the party’s immediate goal is to ensure Obi’s electoral success.
He urged party faithful in the state to unite and work together, noting that Anambra must once again demonstrate why it is regarded as the “Light of the Nation.”
The PUNCH