The membership of the African Democratic Congress in Edo State swelled as its state chairman, Tony Alile, alongside party leader and former governorship aspirant, Kenneth Imansuagbon, received a large number of defectors from the All Progressives Congress, Peoples Democratic Party and Labour Party in Ewohimi, Esan South East Local Government Area on Saturday.
The defection saw scores of card-carrying members of rival parties publicly align with the ADC, strengthening the party’s grassroots structure ahead of future elections.
Addressing newsmen, Alile described the gathering as a spontaneous, people-driven movement, stressing that the turnout was a clear statement of frustration among Nigerians.
“This is an organic gathering; nobody was induced to be here. Despite initial challenges, the people stayed back. That tells you how Nigerians feel about the hardship imposed by the present government. This is the beauty of democracy and a victory for the people,” he said.
The ADC chairman expressed confidence in the party’s rising popularity, declaring that the political tide in Esan land had shifted decisively.
“If elections were held today in Esan land, ADC would emerge victorious. Even those who heard about the event on the streets joined us. These are committed members of other parties. ADC has come to stay, regardless of intimidation or harassment,” he noted.
He described the party as a credible alternative to the current system.
On internal party cohesion, Alile acknowledged grievances trailing his emergence as chairman but assured that reconciliation efforts were underway.
“In every contest, there are bound to be aggrieved persons. However, ADC has activated its conflict resolution mechanisms, and discussions are ongoing to bring everyone on board,” he added.
In his remarks, Imansuagbon described the mass defection as a popular revolt against entrenched political interests, insisting that sovereignty resides with the people.
“Edo people have made it clear that power does not belong to a few cartels. The declaration today in Esan South East is that enough is enough. We are tired of kidnapping, hunger and unemployment, and we have found a platform that can take us to Eldorado,” he said.
The party leaders also used the occasion to unveil new aspirants from Ward 2, led by House of Assembly hopeful, Engr. Barnabas Odion, who declared his intention to contest for the Esan South East State Constituency seat under the ADC platform and cited neglect and poor representation as key motivations.
Odion, a former PDP member, said his defection was driven by a desire to bring meaningful change to his constituency.
“We have witnessed immense suffering, and Esan South East has been neglected in terms of infrastructure and representation. I am offering myself as a vehicle for positive change, to improve the political and developmental fortunes of our people,” he said.
The political realignment in the state has seen party leaders and members moving from one party to another ahead of the local government poll in the state and next year’s general election.
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