Two past governorship aspirants under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State, Eyitayo Jegede and Chief Agboola Ajayi, have now pitched their tents with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in a bid to strengthen a new coalition aimed at unseating President Bola Tinubu’s government come 2027.
Their defection is part of a broader realignment of political forces in Ondo State, where several influential PDP figures have crossed over to the ADC. This includes former Senator representing Ondo South, Nicholas Tofowomo; former member of the House of Representatives, Prof. Bode Ayorinde; ex-state PDP chairman, Tola Alabere; and one-time PDP spokesperson, Kennedy Peretei, among others.
During the inauguration of the state chapter of the coalition, Prof. Ayorinde, who is the coordinator of the group, noted that the movement is growing rapidly and now has members in every local government area of the state.
“All the local governments are with us. Our numbers are increasing, and we will continue to build on the momentum,” Ayorinde said.
He made it clear that their focus is not on handing out money, but rather on building support at the grassroots and encouraging political inclusion. He also revealed that membership cards for the movement would soon be distributed across all wards and LGAs.
“The former PDP governorship candidates for the 2020 and 2024 elections — Eyitayo Jegede and Agboola Ajayi — are with us. Senator Nicholas Tofowomo, Mr. Tola Alabere, and Mr. Kennedy Peretei are also part of this movement,” Ayorinde stated.
Although he is leading the charge, Ayorinde noted that he has no personal ambition to contest in any election. Instead, he encouraged party leaders at the ward level to focus on uniting the people and getting them involved in the political process ahead of the next governorship race.
“We started with just 25 members. Today, we are over 300. This shows the failure of the ruling party. Ondo will be the first to take advantage of the ADC platform,” he noted.
Former PDP spokesman Kennedy Peretei also spoke at the event, describing the coalition as a timely response to the present political climate.
“You heard Prof. Ayorinde mention the names. But beyond the big names, the reality is that the state of the nation and Ondo in particular demands a new direction,” Peretei said.
According to him, the defection wave has already shifted the political balance in at least two local government areas where PDP structures have now fully merged into the ADC.
“People feared Nigeria was becoming a one-party state. That fear is disappearing fast. The reactions from those in power show just how much pressure the ruling party is under. After today, more ripples will follow.”
Peretei also pointed out growing unrest within the APC, saying the coalition intends to capitalize on the internal cracks.
“There’s a lot of bad blood in the APC. We are poised to maximize that opening. Nigerians should be ready for what comes next,” he said.
