The African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Tuesday recorded a major political boost in Egbeda Local Government Area of Oyo State as thousands of supporters defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressives Congress (APC), Labour Party (LP) and Social Democratic Party (SDP).
The well-attended event witnessed a mammoth crowd of decampees who openly expressed their excitement and confidence in joining the ADC, describing the party as a new platform for hope and genuine change.
Receiving the defectors were the Oyo State Chairman of ADC, Alhaji Olayinka Olona, who led members of the state executive to the occasion, alongside the party’s governorship aspirant, Mogaji Barrister Niyi Aborisade, and other key stakeholders.
Speaking at the event, the ADC Chairman in Egbeda Local Government, Chief Funso Owoade, popularly known as Student, said the party had continued to gain significant ground in the area.
He disclosed that the Hausa community in Egbeda had been successfully mobilised into the party, noting that they had fully embraced the ADC.
As part of the growing success, Chief Owoade introduced representatives of the Seriki Hausa in Egbeda, who declared their readiness to work for the party ahead of the next general elections.
In his remarks, Mogaji Barrister Niyi Aborisade expressed satisfaction with the level of organisation and grassroots mobilisation of the party in Egbeda.
The gubernatorial hopeful described the ADC as a “viable political vehicle” Nigeria needs at this critical time. Aborisade, who recently defected from the PDP, declared the former ruling party “dead,” accusing it of failing in its responsibility as a credible opposition.
He assured party members that an ADC-led government would correct what he described as the abnormalities of the current Oyo State administration if voted into power in 2027.
Also speaking, Alhaji Olayinka Olona commended Chief Owoade for his exceptional leadership and commitment to strengthening the party in Egbeda and across the state, describing him as the party’s Chief Security Officer in Oyo.
He told party faithful that the 2027 general elections would be a contest between the APC and the Nigerian people, whom he said were represented by the ADC. He urged members to begin spreading the message of the party in their communities, assuring them that they would not regret their decision to join the ADC.
Earlier, the leader of the coalition of Grassroots Democrats drawn from PDP, APC, LP and SDP, Chief Tajudeen Kareem, thanked the ADC leadership at both the local government and state levels for their resilience and commitment to building a strong party structure.
Explaining the reason for the mass defection, the spokesperson of the defectors, Comrade Ganiyu Nurain said the coalition was leaving behind parties that had failed to meet the expectations of their members. He accused the PDP, APC, SDP and LP of internal crises, lack of internal democracy and leadership imposition.
According to him, the group was confident that the ADC would promote inclusivity, internal democracy and collective leadership.
“We look forward to shaping a new direction that benefits all Nigerians—a party that embodies empowerment, transparency and accountability,” he said.
In his own remarks, a former political leader in Egbeda Local Government, Hon. Leke Ogunwale, described the ADC as a unique party with experienced, sincere and straightforward leaders.
He criticised his former party, the PDP, for failing to recognise the value of its members, expressing confidence that the ADC would record victories at both the federal and Oyo State levels in future elections.
