Former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, has announced his resignation from the African Democratic Congress, attributing his decision to worsening internal crises and a hostile political environment.

In a message shared on Sunday, Obi described Nigeria’s political space as increasingly toxic, marked by intimidation, insecurity, and sustained scrutiny of individuals seeking to serve. He noted that institutions meant to protect citizens are often weaponised against them, creating pressure for those pursuing reform.

Clarifying his exit, Obi said the decision was not driven by personal disagreements with party leaders, including David Mark and Atiku Abubakar, both of whom he said he still holds in high regard.

Instead, he pointed to persistent internal divisions, legal disputes, and what he described as the infiltration of destabilising forces within the party—issues he likened to challenges he previously faced in the Labour Party.

Obi also criticised a broader political culture where integrity, humility, and due process are often misinterpreted as weakness, warning that genuine efforts at nation-building are being undermined by suspicion and power-driven manoeuvres.

Despite leaving the party, Obi reaffirmed his commitment to Nigeria’s development, stressing that his focus remains on addressing insecurity, poverty, and displacement, rather than pursuing political office for its own sake.