KEY POINTS

• Peter Obi, Victor Umeh and Ben Obi have officially registered with the African Democratic Congress in Anambra State as part of a new political alignment ahead of the 2027 elections.

• The leaders plan to challenge the 2026 Electoral Act in court, arguing that some provisions could enable electoral manipulation.

• The ADC registration exercise is part of a broader effort to unite opposition parties and strengthen grassroots mobilisation before the next general elections.

Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, Senator Victor Umeh, and former presidential aide Senator Ben Obi have formally registered with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), signalling a new political alignment ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The three political figures completed their registrations in different wards in Anambra State during a party mobilisation exercise that also served as the official launch of the ADC membership registration drive in the state.

The registration event took place in Awka, where party leaders gathered to kick off the membership exercise and encourage supporters to return to their wards to enlist and recruit new members.

Peter Obi registered in Agulu Ward 2 in Anaocha Local Government Area, while Senator Victor Umeh, who represents Anambra Central Senatorial District, was registered in Aguluzigbo Ward 1 in the same local government area. Senator Ben Obi completed his registration in Agulu Awka, located in Awka South Local Government Area.

Party leaders described the exercise as part of a broader strategy to strengthen the ADC’s grassroots presence and expand its membership base across the country ahead of the next election cycle.

Opposition leaders plan legal challenge to new Electoral Act

During the event, the political leaders also criticised the recently passed 2026 Electoral Act, alleging that some provisions of the law could undermine electoral fairness in the 2027 general elections.

They announced plans to challenge the legislation in court, arguing that aspects of the law were designed to influence the outcome of future elections.

Peter Obi, who addressed supporters during the registration ceremony, said recent legislative actions were aimed at creating conditions that could enable electoral manipulation.

He argued that regulatory bodies should not interfere with how political parties select their candidates and insisted that electoral authorities should focus on ensuring credible elections.

Obi also expressed concern that political discussions were increasingly focused on election strategies rather than addressing pressing governance challenges such as power supply and national security.

Speaking about his political strategy moving forward, Obi said the South-east political bloc was working in unity while also building alliances with leaders from other regions of the country.

According to him, discussions are ongoing to bring together different opposition parties under a common objective of political reform and national development.

He said the broader aim of the coalition effort is to create a more effective governance structure capable of addressing Nigeria’s security challenges, economic difficulties, and widespread poverty.

Obi called on supporters to actively participate in the ADC membership registration exercise, stressing that a strong grassroots movement would be critical ahead of the 2027 elections.

He maintained that the next election would represent a contest between what he described as ineffective leadership and a new approach focused on national transformation.