Former members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ondo State, Senator Ayo Akinyelure and Gbenga Edema, have explained the reasons behind their defection to the African Democratic Congress, ADC, ahead of the 2027 elections.

Speaking with journalists in Akure, Akinyelure, the ADC candidate for Ondo Central Senatorial District, said he left the APC because of what he described as disorganisation, lack of recognition, and internal leadership crisis within the ruling party.

According to him, electoral victory depends largely on securing the right political platform rather than relying on money or influence.

“I have gathered experience over the years. Winning an election is about getting the right platform to contest, not one riddled with problems and multiple candidates who rely only on money, not credibility,” he said.

Akinyelure lamented that despite serving two terms in the Senate and winning elections under the APC, he was allegedly denied recognition within the party structure.

“As a politician, I value recognition. I don’t see myself staying in a party where, as a federal legislator, I’m not recognised,” he stated.

“Where you are not recognised, you have many enemies. They will hide what you did right and magnify what you did wrong.”

The former senator also accused the APC of lacking discipline and organisational structure, claiming that internal respect for hierarchy had collapsed in some parts of the state.

“When I looked at the INEC timetable and the state of the APC, I saw no organisation. Everybody is a leader in their own corner,” he added.

“That’s why I searched for a party with discipline and found it in the ADC."

Speaking on his electoral chances, Akinyelure expressed confidence in his track record and stewardship during his time in the Senate.

He said he had already published reports of his performance in office and believed voters who previously supported him would do so again if the election is free and fair.

“The chances of winning belong to God. But if INEC conducts a free and fair election, my chances are about 80 to 90 percent,” he said.

On his part, Edema, the ADC candidate for Ilaje/Ese Odo Federal Constituency, accused the APC of commercialising political appointments and abandoning merit-based reward systems.

“When you don’t reward excellence, when you commercialise positions, that’s the beginning of corruption,” he said.

Edema alleged that some individuals occupying federal appointments within the APC structure did not contribute to the party’s growth but allegedly secured their positions through financial influence.

“If I give money to get an appointment, what am I going there to do except recover my money? That’s what is happening in the APC today,” he alleged.

The former APC chieftain revealed that he initially defected to the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, in 2024 but later lost confidence in the party after its leadership congratulated Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa before the election was concluded.

“That told me everything about the integrity of the party’s leadership. That’s what brought me to the ADC,” he said.

Edema further noted that the current ADC structure differed from its previous formation, adding that he was attracted by what he described as the credibility and commitment of the party’s present leadership.

“If you want to serve, it doesn’t matter in what capacity. I’ve served in the House of Assembly, as Chairman of OSOPADEC, and at the NDDC,” he said.

“I’ve dropped my ego and listened to my people who asked me to contest for the House of Representatives.” (Vanguard)

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