Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and former Osun State governor Rauf Aregbesola have welcomed a group of politicians who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other political parties into the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The defectors, led by former Ondo State PDP governorship candidate Eyitayo Jegede, SAN, were formally received at a gathering in Akure, the state capital, on Thursday.
Mr Aregbesola, who is the ADC’s National Secretary, said he joined the party’s presidential candidate, Mr Atiku, and other leaders to receive Mr Jegede and other political figures at NEPA Park in Akure.
Mr Jegede, who contested the Ondo governorship election on the PDP platform in 2016 and 2020, was accompanied by supporters and political associates.
Others who reportedly joined the ADC include former PDP Board of Trustees member Segun Adegoke, serving PDP chairmen in Ondo West and Owo local government areas, as well as former political office holders and lawmakers. (Premium Times Nigeria)
Speaking at the event, Mr Jegede said he and his supporters had decided to join the ADC because of what he described as the hardship and suffering facing Nigerians.
He called on residents to obtain their permanent voter cards and support the ADC in the forthcoming elections.
Mr Atiku described Mr Jegede’s defection as a welcome development, saying the two had maintained a longstanding political relationship.
He also said an ADC administration would seek to restore fuel subsidies and improve security if elected in 2027.
The former vice-president urged Nigerians to vote out the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), arguing that the country had experienced economic decline under the party. Those comments were political claims made by Mr Atiku at the event. (Premium Times Nigeria)
Mr Aregbesola, who represented ADC National Chairman David Mark at the gathering, urged party members to mobilise supporters ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The reception comes as political parties intensify mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections, with defections and realignments continuing across the country.
Meanwhile, in a separate development in Ondo State, Afenifere Secretary-General Sola Ebiseni announced his resignation from the Labour Party and declared support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid under the APC. (Premium Times Nigeria)
