Top politicians and leaders from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State at the weekend declared for the coalition platform, African Democratic Congress (ADC).

At the unveiling in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, no fewer than four former governors, former speakers and members of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, former members of the House of Representatives, former commissioners, among others from the PDP, APC, Social Democratic Party.

Speaking at the event, former Vice President and member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has revealed that the party would field a credible candidate that would defeat the ruling APC in the 2026 Governorship election in the state.

Atiku, who lamented the failure of the present administration in the state over the years, assured the people or the state that the ADC would provide a credible platform that would dislodge the Biodun Oyebanji-led government in the next year’s poll.

Represented by the former dean of Faculty of Pharmacy, Obafemi Awolowo University, Professor Bayo Fakunle, the former vice president appealed to the people to commence a mobilization drive at the grassroots for what he described as the rescue mission of the ADC.

On his part, a former deputy governor, Professor Kolapo Olusola-Eleka who led the PDP bloc to the unveiling, said that the ADC was formed to chase away those who are destroying the country through poor governance.

He expressed optimism that with the quality of leaders declaring for the party across the country are capable of restoring the nation to prosperity where every citizen would love a better life.

The professor of building technology said, “Our leaders are of the view that those who are killing the country through maladministration, we should chase them out of power. Our leaders know what to do to better the Nigerian economy and the good intention will materialize by God’s grace.

“Our leaders have chosen the core values of honesty, transparency and accountability; they know what to do to make the life of Nigerians better.

“That is why we want to work with them. I want to appeal to all of us to let us be united to make real change for a better country. I want to assure you that with the caliber of people behind this coalition, we have hope for a better Nigeria. ADC has come to stay.

“We are unveiling the ADC as a platform of the coalition that has come together from different parties to save Nigeria from mis-governance, recklessness and lack of accountability. ADC is not just a political party; it is a platform for those who are determined to rescue Nigeria. We say no to intimidation, we say no to one party system.”

The former Commissioner for Information during the administration of Dr. Kayode Fayemi of the APC between 2020 and 2022, Akin Omole said the current APC government has failed to ensure the welfare of the people in the last few years.

According to him, his defection to ADC was not a move to suggest his former boss sanctioned it but his personal decision to join a formidable force that meant well for the people of Ekiti and the country.

He noted that the ADC would offer the citizens of the state and the country real dividends of democracy that would be reflected across all sectors of the economy.

Omole said, “I have interacted with many Nigerians and the response is that the welfare of the masses is not something that is pleasant for now and there is no solution in sight from the APC-led government.

“The APC solution to our problems is not getting to the heart of the matter, people are actually suffering and we can’t stay and allow people to suffer. We are coming together with like minds to find solutions to our problems in this country. We are not listening to rhetoric again, we are talking about the actual solution.

“It is the masses that are our focus and we are here to alleviate the suffering, especially people at the grassroots, not at the state capital. The welfare of the common man in the streets and the issue is we must use the government for the welfare of the people.”

The ADC Chairman in Ekiti State, Omolayo Ilesanmi said, “We believe that through unity, discipline, and dedication, we can deliver a government that truly serves the people, champions development, and promotes good governance. The African Democratic Congress is a party that welcomes individuals who share our core values of progress, development, discipline, integrity, and honesty.

“We are here to replace politics driven by corruption and deceit with transparency and accountability. ADC marks a new beginning for Nigeria, a movement committed to pragmatic solutions, genuine leadership, and a future where every citizen can thrive.”

Ilesanmi said that people are looking for good governance, which has eluded them, saying, that is why they are ready to vote for the ADC in Ekiti election next year.

“Whoever emerges as our candidate in the 2026 governorship election will become the governor of Ekiti State. Next time you are interviewing me like this, you will be congratulating me for our victory,” he said. (Nigerian Tribune)