Former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, has left the party and joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The defection was made official this week as the respected politician, who once led the APC from 2013 to 2018, chose to switch sides ahead of the next presidential election in Nigeria.
In recent times, there have been several reports of top politicians leaving the APC to join the ADC. This new wave of defections is changing the political scene as many well-known figures move to the growing opposition party.
Chief John Odigie-Oyegun played a big role in helping the APC win power in 2015. He was the first national chairman of the party and helped bring different groups together to form the APC. His move to the ADC is seen as a big loss for the ruling party.
Oyegun is not the only one who has joined the ADC. Others include former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, ex-Attorney-General Abubakar Malami, former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, former Chief of Air Staff Saddique Abubakar, ex-Edo State Governor Oserheimen Osunbor, former Senate President David Mark, and former Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika.
Sources say that Oyegun is working with Atiku Abubakar and Aminu Tambuwal to make the ADC the main platform for opposition leaders. The plan is to build a strong team ahead of the next presidential election.
With more powerful politicians joining the ADC, the party is becoming a new home for those who are not happy with the APC. This may lead to a stronger challenge against the ruling party in the next election, making the ADC a force to watch.