The African Democratic Congress announced on Tuesday that it has formed a panel to address recent defections by its members in the House of Representatives to the All Progressives Congress.
The ADC National Chairman, Ralphs Okey Nwosu, made this announcement following a threat from Leke Abejide, the chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Customs. Abejide, who was elected on the ADC platform, hinted that he might join the APC if the ADC does not cooperate with him.
ADC is currently facing significant challenges due to recent defections from its ranks. Notably, a House of Representatives member elected on the ADC platform, Salman Idris, defected to the APC last week.
Salman cited a crisis in the ADC leadership at the national level and stated that his decision followed extensive consultations with his constituents.
Additionally, the ADC’s Lagos state governorship candidate in the 2023 elections, Funso Doherty, has also defected, this time to the People’s Democratic Party.
In response, Nwosu said the party is taking steps to handle these defections and maintain its integrity. “On the defection or defections to APC from our party, we have been inundated with calls from party chieftains, concerned citizens, patriots, National leaders, and civil society organizations. We appreciate their concerns and commend their patriotism,” Nwosu said.
He assured that the ADC is addressing the issue seriously. “We are taking appropriate steps to maintain the integrity of our great party, the ADC. We have set up a committee led by Dr. Bamidele Ganiyu Ajadi, the Deputy National Chairman (Politics) of our great party, to look into the shenanigans going on to enable us to apply the arm of the law justly. Hon. Nkem Ukandu, Secretary, and five others serve as members of the committee,” Nwosu explained.
In addition to dealing with defections, the ADC has resolved to participate in all local government elections nationwide. This decision comes after a Supreme Court judgment on local government finances.
Nwosu said, “To deepen ADC’s grassroots penetration and engagements, the National Executive Committee of our great party resolved to participate roundly in all Local Councils elections, especially following the Supreme Court ruling on the Financial autonomy of the councils. The party has set up the Local Councils Elections Committee to schedule, strategize, and supervise all LGA elections in all the states of the country.”
