Former APC National Chairman and ex-Edo State Governor, John Odigie-Oyegun, has joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC), marking a fresh political chapter in his decades-long journey.
Oyegun officially registered with the ADC on Tuesday in Benin City, where the party’s state chairman, Kennedy Odion, presented him with his membership card.
The move signals a major realignment within the Edo political space as 2024 heats up.
Speaking during the event, Odion recalled Oyegun’s key role in Nigeria’s political history.
“He has put together what is called a coalition before, and he succeeded,” Odion said.
“So, in mathematics, once you understand the formula, the answer is in view. He understands how he did it before, so doing it again is not a difficult task.”
According to Odion, Oyegun chaired the implementation committee that decided the ADC would serve as the unifying platform for several smaller parties moving forward.
“He is not just any Nigerian; he is from the heartbeat of the nation, Edo State,” Odion added. “We are moving the coalition together.”
“We chose ADC after talking to many parties” — Oyegun
Oyegun, 85, who became the first civilian governor of Edo State in 1992, explained how the decision to join ADC followed weeks of consultations.
“We talked to a lot of parties, about seven of them. Up till the very last minute,” he said.
“We made a report and we said ADC. And some said, ‘No, no, no, you must still talk to this, you must still talk to that.’ So, we delayed the decision for another fortnight.”
At the end of their meetings, he said, the team returned to their original position.
“We have talked to the others, but we have not seen a party as dedicated as the ADC,” he stated.
Oyegun, who played a central role in the 2013 merger that formed the APC, has now walked away from the ruling party he once led.
Observers believe his defection may have significant impact in Edo and other states where ADC hopes to gain more ground ahead of the next election cycle.
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