Obi, who recently joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC), made the remarks on Friday during an empowerment programme in Nimo, Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State.
Former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, has claimed that he left the Labour Party after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) repeatedly refused to recognise court judgments on the party’s leadership dispute.
Obi, who recently joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC), made the remarks on Friday during an empowerment programme in Nimo, Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The event was organised by the member representing Dunukofia/Njikoka/Anaocha Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, George Ozodinobi.
Speaking at the programme, Obi said the Labour Party had secured several favourable court judgments in its leadership tussle but claimed that the electoral commission failed to recognise them.
“You all know that I am now in the African Democratic Congress. People have been asking why I left the Labour Party, but I told them that we have been in court in the Labour Party over leadership issues and have been securing favourable judgments,” Obi said.
“Yet, INEC refused to recognise us. But when I left on December 31, 2025, they recognised the same orders they had earlier rejected.”
Obi also alleged that some constitutional amendments being proposed were aimed at preventing him from contesting in future elections.
“You see all the things they have been tinkering with in the Constitution; some of them are because they do not want me to contest,” he said.
“But I want to tell them that with their 30 governors, they should make the election free and fair and see who wins.”
The former presidential candidate insisted that he would contest the next presidential election regardless of any political obstacles.
“I want to announce to you all that no matter what they do, I must contest the election,” he said.
“Let them declare a free and fair contest, bring the ball to the middle of the field and declare it started, and let’s see what happens.”
Obi also criticised the state of the country, saying Nigeria had collapsed and required urgent rebuilding.
“Nigeria has collapsed totally, and there is a need to redeem it. I have never been desperate to be the President; rather, I am desperate to see a Nigeria that works,” he said.
According to him, inequality and greed among the wealthy have worsened the country’s economic situation.
“Nigeria has collapsed and is already lying on the ground. Nigeria is not working because many rich Nigerians are hungry and greedy,” he said.
“This country is skewed against the poor, and that is why we are working to become president. We want a country where the son of a nobody can become somebody without knowing anybody.”
Obi also commended Ozodinobi for organising the empowerment programme, saying such initiatives highlight the importance of electing responsible leaders into public office.
