|By Chinwendu Nwani
Former Labour Party governorship aspirant in Edo State, Olumide Akpata, has formally defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), declaring that his admiration for Peter Obi’s reform agenda spurred his move.
Akpata made the announcement at the ADC secretariat in Benin City, where party leaders and supporters gathered to witness his official reception into the fold. He said his decision was rooted in a desire to strengthen the party and align with Obi’s vision of national renewal.
“I joined the party to add value and to be part of the change that Obi represents,” Akpata stated after receiving his ADC membership card. He credited Obi’s earlier decision to join the party on December 31, 2025, as a decisive factor in his defection, describing it as a signal of serious intent toward restructuring Nigeria’s political landscape.
Akpata also expressed gratitude to members of the Obidient Movement for what he called their overwhelming encouragement and warm reception.
The Edo State ADC Chairman, Kennedy Odion, formally handed over the membership card to Akpata in the presence of prominent political figures, including former Edo State governors John Odigie-Oyegun and Oserheimen Osunbor, as well as former Senate Chief Whip Roland Owie and other senior party stakeholders. Party leaders described the development as a significant boost to the ADC’s growing influence in Edo State.
Peter Obi, speaking at the event, reaffirmed his commitment to building a nation that prioritises the welfare of the majority rather than serving a privileged few. He urged Nigerians to support policies that shift the country from a consumption-driven economy to a production-oriented one, insisting that broad-based prosperity must replace entrenched inequality.
“We must build a nation that moves from consumption to production,” Obi declared, stressing that the ADC remains committed to economic fairness and inclusive growth.
Party elders and former governors at the gathering applauded the expanding coalition within the ADC and voiced optimism about the party’s prospects in the 2027 general elections. They pointed to past political successes as evidence that the party could mount a credible challenge.
Former Governor Osunbor, however, warned against any attempt to undermine the electoral process. He urged citizens to remain vigilant and defend Nigeria’s democratic institutions against manipulation.
Akpata’s defection signals a strategic realignment in Edo State politics, as the ADC intensifies efforts to consolidate its base ahead of 2027.
