By Ozioruva Aliu

BENIN CITY – THE membership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Edo State yesterday swelled in Edo Central, the senatorial district of Governor Monday Okpebholo and vowed to shock the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections in the state.

The party received defectors from the APC, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP) in the area led by its state chairman, Tony Alile, alongside party leader, former Governorship Aspirant, Kenneth Imansuagbon.

The defectors were received in Ewohimi, Esan South East Local Government Area.

Speaking, Alile said the number of people that defected was a clear statement of frustration among Nigerians.

“This is an organic gathering; nobody was induced to be here. Despite initial challenges, the people stayed back. That tells you how Nigerians feel about the hardship imposed by the present government. This is the beauty of democracy and a victory for the people,” he said.

The ADC chairman expressed confidence in the party’s rising popularity, declaring that the political tide in Esan land had shifted decisively. “If elections were held today in Esan land, ADC would emerge victorious. Even those who heard about the event on the streets joined us. These are committed members of other parties. ADC has come to stay, regardless of intimidation or harassment,”

He posited the party as a credible alternative to what he described as a failing system.

On internal party cohesion, Alile acknowledged grievances trailing his emergence as chairman but assured that reconciliation efforts were underway.

In his remarks, Imansuagbon framed the mass defection as a popular revolt against entrenched political interests, insisting that sovereignty resides with the people.

“Edo people have made it clear that power does not belong to a few cartels. The declaration today in Esan South East is that enough is enough. We are tired of kidnapping, hunger and unemployment, and we have found a platform that can take us to Eldorado,” he said.

The party leaders also used the occasion to unveil new aspirants from Ward 2, led by House of Assembly hopeful, Engr. Barnabas Odion, who declared his intention to contest for the Esan South East State Constituency seat under the ADC platform and cited neglect and poor representation as key motivations.