A wave of high-profile defections has hit Ekiti politics, as prominent figures from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressives Congress (APC), and Labour Party (LP) formally joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC) during the party’s unveiling in Ado-Ekiti on Friday.
Leading the defection were two former deputy governors Prof. Kolapo Olusola Eleka, who served under ex-Governor Ayo Fayose, and Dr. Tae Lawal, who served under ex-Governor Segun Oni. Both dumped the PDP for ADC.
Also joining the exodus were former Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Hon. Boyega Aribisogan; a former Secretary to the State Government, Amb. Dare Bejide; and Akin Omole, former Commissioner for Information under Kayode Fayemi. Several former political appointees and executive members from across party lines also declared their allegiance to ADC.
Addressing supporters at the event, state chairman of the ADC, Mr. Omolayo Omole, described the party as the credible alternative that holds the key to solving Nigeria’s deep-rooted challenges. He said the ADC was prepared to chart a new course for the country, beginning with Ekiti.
Prof. Eleka described the ADC as a coalition driven by a shared mission to “rescue” the nation. “We are not chasing shadows. We are pursuing reality, and we are going places. ADC has come to stay, whether they like it or not,” he said.
Representing former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, Prof. Bayo Fakunle said the movement was unstoppable. “Nothing can stop a moving train,” he declared, reinforcing the ADC’s message of change and revival.
