Two former governorship candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State, Eyitayo Jegede and Chief Agboola Ajayi, have officially defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), joining an opposition coalition reportedly aimed at challenging President Bola Tinubu's administration in the 2027 elections.
The high-profile defection, which took place during the inauguration of the state chapter of the coalition, also saw other prominent politicians leaving the PDP, including former Senator representing Ondo South, Nicholas Tofowomo; former House of Representatives member, Prof. Bode Ayorinde; ex-PDP State Chairman, Tola Alabere; and former PDP Publicity Secretary, Kennedy Peretei.
Speaking at the event, Prof. Bode Ayorinde, who serves as the coordinator of the coalition in Ondo State, expressed confidence in the growing momentum of the movement across the state's local government areas.
"All the local governments are with us. Our numbers are increasing, and we will continue to build on the momentum," Ayorinde stated during the inauguration ceremony.
Ayorinde emphasized that the coalition's strategy differs from traditional Nigerian political approaches, noting that they are not distributing money but focusing on grassroots mobilization and inclusive politics. He revealed that membership cards would soon be distributed across wards and local government areas to formalize the growing support base.
The coordinator also clarified his personal position, stating that he has no interest in seeking elective office. Instead, he urged leaders at the ward level to embrace inclusive politics as Ondo State prepares for its next governorship election.
Kennedy Peretei, the former PDP Publicity Secretary who also joined the coalition, described the movement as a necessary response to the current political climate in Nigeria. He noted that many political heavyweights have already aligned themselves with the ADC coalition.
The defection of these prominent politicians from the PDP to the ADC coalition signals a significant realignment in Ondo State's political landscape and potentially foreshadows increased opposition activity ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Stay updated with the latest political developments by following BenriNews on our social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, WhatsApp, and Telegram.
