State Deputy Chairman says members seen at Senator Yayi’s political gathering acted independently as ADC Chairman describes their exit as inconsequential
By Dayo Akanbi
ABEOKUTA – The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Ogun East Senatorial District has dismissed reports alleging that its political structure has collapsed into the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the claims as false, misleading and intended to create a wrong impression about the party’s strength.
The party maintained that its organisational structure across the nine local government areas in Ogun East remains united and firmly loyal to the Ogun State leadership of the ADC.
The clarification was contained in a public disclaimer issued by the State Deputy Chairman of the party, Prince Adedeji Babatunde Abiodun, following the attendance of some party members at a recent political gathering organised by Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (Yayi) in Abeokuta.
According to Prince Abiodun, those who attended the event represented only a faction within the Ogun East chapter of the ADC and did not act on behalf of the party.
He said the individuals aligned themselves with Senator Adeola and the APC for personal reasons, stressing that their actions should not be interpreted as a defection or endorsement by the Ogun East ADC.
“I state categorically that the members who attended Senator Adeola Olamilekan Yayi’s event in Abeokuta are part of a specific caucus within the Ogun East Senatorial District ADC that has chosen to align with Senator Adeola Olamilekan (Yayi) and the APC for personal interests only,” the statement read.
Prince Abiodun reaffirmed that the party’s structures across all nine local government areas, wards and polling units in Ogun East remain intact and loyal to the leadership of the Ogun State ADC under its State Chairman, Otunba Olufemi Patrick Soluade.
Describing himself as the most senior party executive from Ogun East Senatorial District, he said the chapter remains united and focused on strengthening its grassroots structures ahead of future political activities.
He urged party members, supporters and the general public to disregard reports suggesting that the Ogun East ADC had collapsed into another political party, insisting that the chapter remains cohesive and committed to the ideals of the ADC.
Also reacting, the Ogun State Chairman of the ADC, Otunba Femi Soluade, dismissed the significance of those who attended the APC gathering, describing them as political opportunists rather than committed members of the party.
According to him, those who left were neither legacy members nor core stakeholders of the ADC in Ogun East.
“They are not ADC legacy members or committed members. They are political gatecrashers and latter-day apostles who only sought refuge in the party during the political season in search of crumbs. They have never been core ADC members in Ogun East. They are simply nomadic politicians, and the public should not be deceived by their actions,” Soluade said.
The state chairman added that their departure amounted to “good riddance to bad rubbish,” insisting that the ADC in Ogun State is growing stronger despite the development.
Soluade acknowledged that the party is addressing internal disagreements arising from parallel congresses, noting that such disputes are not peculiar to the ADC.
“Like every other political party, we have our internal issues and disagreements. We are dotting the T’s and crossing the I’s to resolve them. That is not synonymous with the ADC alone,” he said.
He further alleged that the ruling APC was targeting the ADC because of its growing popularity among Nigerians.
“Having identified the ADC as a party capable of delivering Nigerians from the current hardship, the ruling party has resorted to poaching our members. However, they have only succeeded in catching miniature fishes that are inconsequential,” Soluade added.
