•Ex-Senate Chief Whip Rowland Owie
The wave of defections rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC) continued in Edo on Wednesday, as several prominent members exited the party for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
Among those who defected are former Senate Chief Whip, Rowland Owie, and a founding member of the ADC, Sunny Aguebor, reports Nigerian Tribune.
The defectors cited alleged hijacking of the party structure in the state and ongoing internal crises at the national level as reasons for their exit.
Owie accused former Edo State governor, John Odigie-Oyegun, of influencing the emergence of the party’s leadership in a manner he described as improper.
According to him, the process that produced the state chairman violated internal zoning arrangements, particularly in Edo South, where the position had been micro-zoned to Oredo Local Government Area.
“The administration of the party, especially in Edo South, became chaotic,” Owie said, alleging that decisions taken by local stakeholders were overridden by a few individuals.
He further claimed that party tickets were being reserved for individuals who had yet to formally join the ADC, raising concerns about transparency and internal democracy.
“That is one of the major reasons our people came to me to say they were tired. We are going to NDC, so we have moved; let them keep the ADC,” he added.
Owie also suggested that most “core members” of the party in the state had now aligned with the NDC, while dismissing concerns about broader national implication of the defection.
“Politics is local; national politics will come at the appropriate time,” he said.
On his part, Aguebor argued that the NDC offered a more stable platform, noting that it was free from the legal disputes currently affecting the ADC.
Reacting to the development, the ADC State Publicity Secretary-elect, Christopher Ojeikere, downplayed the defections, insisting that the party remains focused on preparations for its primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“The party is not worried about this development. We are preparing for our primaries to pick candidates for the 2027 election,” he said.
