|By Adejumo Adekunle
Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has strongly defended his movement across political parties, insisting his decisions were driven by principle, not personal ambition.
Speaking during an interview on Arise Television, Obi declared his commitment to reforming Nigeria’s political system, warning against what he described as entrenched “criminality” in governance.
“We must dismantle this criminality that exists today,” he said, stressing that his political journey has been guided by the need to strengthen democratic values.
Obi traced his political path from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and later to the Labour Party, explaining that each move was a response to internal crises and practices he found unacceptable.
According to him, his exit from APGA was a deliberate step to prevent internal disputes from disrupting governance in Anambra State.
“I moved from APGA to the PDP because of issues with my successor. Rather than allow it to become destructive to governance, I moved out,” he explained.
The former Anambra governor also criticised internal practices within the PDP, describing them as inconsistent with his values.
“People were not playing by the rules. It was transactional. I cannot be part of a transactional system,” Obi stated.
He further acknowledged challenges within the Labour Party, noting that internal conflicts and legal disputes had contributed to instability within the platform.
Despite his engagements across political divides, including alliances with figures now linked to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Obi urged Nigerians to focus on present commitments rather than past affiliations.
“What is important is not what people were yesterday, but what they are today,” he said.
Addressing public scepticism, Obi maintained that ongoing political realignments are part of a broader effort to rebuild a credible opposition capable of delivering accountable leadership.
“We are ready to work with people who are committed to change. If the process is compromised again, we will continue the fight,” he added.
His remarks come amid intensifying political activity and shifting alliances ahead of future elections, as opposition figures seek to consolidate forces and challenge established political structures.
