Atiku Abubakar and Rauf Aregbesola welcomed former PDP governorship candidate Eyitayo Jegede and his supporters to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Ondo State on Thursday, marking a significant political realignment ahead of the 2024 elections. The event, held in Akure, saw Jegede formally join the ADC alongside several defectors from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), signaling growing tensions within Nigeria’s fragmented political landscape. Jegede, who ran unsuccessfully for governor of Ondo State twice under the PDP, cited the need to
rescue the state from the claws of the ruling APC
as his rationale for defecting. His move was accompanied by a group of allies, including former Board of Trustees (BOT) member Segun Adegoke, incumbent party chairmen from Ondo West and Owo Local Government Areas, and former lawmakers. The defection underscores deepening dissatisfaction with the APC’s governance in Ondo, where the party has maintained dominance since 2019. During the ceremony, ADC National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola, a former Osun State governor, urged ADC members in Ondo to mobilize voters for the party’s candidates in upcoming elections. He emphasized the need to
mobilize their supporters to vote for Atiku and other ADC candidates,
highlighting the party’s strategic focus on challenging the APC’s hold on power. Atiku, the ADC’s presidential candidate, reiterated his call for unity against the APC, accusing the party of economic mismanagement and security failures.
We are not here to campaign but to welcome our brother to ADC. When we come back, we will tell you what we have for you and your generation to come,
Atiku stated, vowing to restore subsidies and national security. He also criticized the APC’s leadership, saying,
Who is responsible for taking us down? Is it not APC?
referring to Nigeria’s economic decline from the continent’s top economy in 2007 to fifth today. Jegede’s defection follows a broader pattern of political realignments in Ondo, where the APC’s grip has faced increasing scrutiny. The state, a key battleground in the 2023 elections, has seen rising calls for accountability over alleged corruption and underdevelopment. ADC’s expansion into the region is seen as a bid to capitalize on this discontent, particularly among PDP loyalists disillusioned with the party’s inability to unseat the APC. The ADC’s growing presence in Ondo coincides with the departure of other figures from rival parties. Sola Ebiseni, a former Labour Party official and secretary general of the pan-Yoruba group Afenifere, recently defected to the APC, aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s re-election campaign. Ebiseni, who met with Ondo Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, stated his intent to
support the re-election of President Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election,
and integrate his supporters into the APC’s 2027 campaign structure. This dual defection highlights the fluid nature of Nigerian politics, where alliances shift rapidly ahead of major elections. Analysts note that the ADC’s strategy in Ondo hinges on leveraging regional grievances against the APC. However, the party’s limited track record in the state poses challenges. The APC, which has controlled Ondo since 2019, remains a formidable opponent, with Governor Aiyedatiwa’s administration emphasizing infrastructure and security initiatives. Still, the influx of PDP defectors could disrupt the status quo, particularly if ADC candidates gain traction in key constituencies. The developments reflect broader trends in Nigeria’s political ecosystem, where parties increasingly court defectors to bolster their electoral prospects. For the ADC, securing Ondo’s support is critical to its national ambitions, as the state’s 2.5 million registered voters could tip the balance in the 2023 presidential race. Meanwhile, the APC’s ability to retain its base—and prevent further defections—will determine its viability in a highly competitive landscape. As the 2024 elections approach, the realignment in Ondo underscores the volatility of Nigerian politics. With major parties vying for influence, the state’s political dynamics could serve as a microcosm of the nation’s broader struggles to address economic stagnation, security crises, and governance failures. For now, the ADC’s expansion into Ondo signals a new chapter in the state’s political history, one shaped by shifting allegiances and the pursuit of power.
Atiku, Aregbesola Welcome PDP Defectors to ADC in Ondo as Political Realignment Intensifies