The former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has maintained that his political decisions reflect loyalty despite multiple changes in party affiliation.
His position became widely discussed after an old video surfaced online, coinciding with confirmation of his exit from the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
In the footage, the former Anambra governor addressed questions surrounding his history of party switches and public perception of his political stance.
“I am always a loyal member of any party. Yes, people will say he has left this party and that party. One day, those who are close to me will tell the story of how I left those parties. The truth is that every party I left, I was pushed to leave,” he said.
He also explained his approach to conflict, stressing his preference for avoiding disputes within political structures.
The ex-governor said “This morning, someone asked me a question about something and I said, I don’t stay where there is a problem. I have never knowingly, whether it is a private or public quarrel with people. I don’t do it. I would rather be the loser. I will become a coward for peace than to stay where there is problem. If tomorrow people say, ‘We don’t want you here’, I will move on. That is not weakness; it’s a virtue. Just like people would say he is simple, it’s a virtue; people will say he is patient, it’s a virtue.”
He further linked his decisions to a broader national goal centred on cooperation across political lines.
Obi said “You must be able to do things by tolerating others and if they don’t want you, don’t quarrel with them, move on. My commitment is for a better Nigeria. I believe we need to work together with other entities to be able to change the country.”
A review of his political journey shows that Obi first rose to prominence under the All Progressives Grand Alliance.
He was elected governor in 2006 and completed two terms in office after overcoming an impeachment setback during his tenure.
He later joined the Peoples Democratic Party, where he became the vice-presidential candidate in the 2019 general election.
In 2022, Obi exited the PDP shortly before its presidential primary and moved to the Labour Party, where he contested the 2023 presidential election.
His next major political step came in 2025 when he aligned with a coalition formed to challenge the administration of Bola Tinubu.
The coalition later adopted the ADC as its platform, but internal disagreements led to ongoing disputes within the party.
The former presidential has now left the ADC for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
His movement across multiple parties has continued to generate debate within Nigeria’s political space.
Supporters view his actions as strategic responses to internal challenges, while critics question the implications for party consistency.
Despite these differing interpretations, Obi has consistently framed his decisions as driven by principle and the pursuit of stability.
His latest position adds another chapter to a political career shaped by shifting alliances and evolving party structures in Nigeria.
