Former Ondo State governorship candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Eyitayo Jegede, on Thursday formally joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC), declaring that the opposition party has begun mobilising to take control of the country in the 2027 general election.
Jegede, who joined ADC with his political associates and loyalists in Akure, said his decision to leave the PDP for the ADC followed the worsening economic situation, unemployment, insecurity, and hardship in the country, which made political change imperative.
He said, ‘There is unemployment in Nigeria; you can all see that. There is hardship; you can all see that. The suffering is too much. The journey has begun. We want a democratic government. We are going to mobilise and unite to win come 2027.’
The two- time PDP governorship candidate said the ADC would mobilise across Ondo and the country to secure victories for its candidates in the presidential, senatorial and House of Representatives elections.
He said, ‘All the PDP members loyal to me have moved to ADC. We are going to let everyone know that ADC is the boss when we vote in January and February.’
Jegede also urged party supporters to ensure that their votes translated into electoral strength for the ADC, saying the party would need massive support from voters to achieve its political objectives.
‘It is our votes that will determine the strength of our political party. As we have come out today, let us vote ADC massively,’ he said.
He lamented the rising cost of food and other essential commodities, saying the party would seek to address the economic pressures confronting Nigerians if elected.
The ADC presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, while addressing the crowd, said the ADC would seek to reverse some of the policies which he attributed to the worsening economic hardship in the country, saying the party was committed to restoring a petrol subsidy arrangement if elected, as well as strengthening security across the country.
‘We are committed to restoring subsidy. We are committed to restoring security all over this country. If we are elected, no part of this country would feel insecure anymore.’
Atiku, who reflected on Nigeria’s economic performance between 1999 and 2007 when he served as Vice President, said the country had witnessed a reversal of fortunes in subsequent years.
He attributed the worsening economic and social conditions to the policies of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), urging Nigerians to use the 2027 general election to vote for the ADC.
‘You know what we did between 1999 and 2007. We took Nigeria to be the first finest economy in Africa. Today we are number five. Who are responsible for taking us down and backward? Is it not APC? This is the moment for us to vote them out.’
Atiku also cited the recent electoral experience in Osun, where strong voter turnout and protection of votes demonstrated the importance of electoral participation and vigilance.
He urged ADC members across the country to replicate such mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections, noting
Jegede’s entry into the ADC would further strengthen the party’s political structure in Ondo.
‘You can see our brother Eyitayo and his associates have joined us. We are winning,’ he said.
The ADC National Chairman, Senator David Mark, said the party was prepared to take over the administration of Nigeria in 2027, citing the economic hardship, unemployment, insecurity and rising cost of living confronting Nigerians.
Represented by the National Secretary of the party, Rauf Aregbesola, Mark noted that the challenges had heightened the need for Nigerians to consider a change of government.
He added that the ADC was positioning itself as an alternative platform capable of addressing the concerns of ordinary Nigerians and said the party would continue to strengthen its structures and mobilise Nigerians across the country ahead of the 2027 general election.
Another speaker, the ADC governorship candidate in Oyo, Oloye Adegoke Adegboyega, said the country was facing serious challenges ranging from hunger and high food and fuel prices to poor electricity supply and insecurity.
He described ADC as a party for ordinary Nigerians and called for support for the party in the 2027 elections, saying: ‘It is time to send the ruling party packing’.