ABUJA — Official witness testimony has confirmed that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) rejected all efforts by Peter Obi to register a new,
independent political party, leaving him with no choice but to seek alternative platforms. This institutional blockage is now being cited as the definitive reason behind Obi’s recent exit from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to join the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) on May 3, 2026.
In a formal statement, Obi’s official campaign photographer, Esther Umoh, revealed that despite the team meeting every legal requirement, their bid to establish a fresh political vehicle was systematically denied.
Umoh, who has documented the process, asserted that she possesses photographic evidence of INEC officials conducting physical inspections of the proposed party’s facilities before the final rejection was issued. “Peter Obi has tried to create and register his own party, but despite meeting all the requirements, INEC rejected it,” Umoh stated, defending the necessity of his subsequent defections.
This disclosure provides critical context for the sudden collapse of the ADC coalition. Analysts point out that once the path to an independent party was blocked, Obi was forced into the ADC, where he encountered a “dollarized” primary strategy allegedly orchestrated by Atiku Abubakar. By attempting to force a high-stakes primary, Atiku reportedly sought to use the Electoral Act to “trap” Obi, as the law would have barred him from seeking any other platform once the primary process had commenced.
By defecting to the NDC before the ADC primaries were finalized, Obi and his ally, Rabiu Kwankwaso, effectively escaped this maneuver to launch the “OK Movement.” The NDC has since invited both leaders to secure a joint ticket for the 2027 presidential election, framing the move as a strategic bypass of a compromised electoral and party system.
The evidence provided by Umoh has shifted the national conversation toward the perceived lack of independence in the party registration process. As the 2027 election cycle gains momentum, these revelations are expected to fuel a broader debate on electoral reform and the institutional hurdles facing new political movements in Nigeria.
