No fewer than 10,000 members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the All Progressives Congress (APC), and other political parties have defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State.
The mass defection took place on Saturday, May 13, 2025, during the official unveiling of the ADC in Agatu by the Benue State Chairman of the party, Rt. Hon. Terngu Tsegba.
The ceremony, held in Agatu LGA of the Benue South Senatorial District, witnessed a large turnout of decampees, political supporters, and admirers of Sir John Ngbede, a prominent political leader in Agatu.
Ngbede also donated a building to serve as the new secretariat of the party in the area.
Speaking at the event, Tsegba commended the leadership of the party in Agatu for organizing what he described as the largest unveiling event in the state.
He praised Ngbede for his role in mobilizing grassroots support, describing him as a leader whose political influence continues to shape the direction of the local government.
He assured the people that the ADC is committed to inclusiveness, stability, and internal democracy, expressing confidence that the party would win all elective seats in the LGA.
On his part, Ngbede, a former Commissioner of Water Resources in Benue State, ex-Chairman of Agatu LGA, former State PDP Chairman, and Deputy Governorship Candidate in the 2023 elections, was formally unveiled as the leader of ADC in Agatu.
In his remarks, Ngbede declared the dominance of PDP and APC in Agatu to be over, a statement that drew loud cheers and solidarity chants from the crowd.
The event also featured the commissioning of the new party office, further underscoring the ADC’s growing presence and organization in Agatu. Party leaders noted that the ADC remains focused on grassroots engagement and community development initiatives.
Dignitaries at the event included the State Secretary, Rt. Hon. Samson Okwu; immediate past PDP Chairman, Hon. Chris Adaba Aba (Mad Lion); former Commissioner of Finance and ADC frontline leader, Hon. David Adejoh Olofu; CPC Chairman, Alhaji Salisu Sule Odaliko; former Labour Party Governorship Candidate, Rt. Hon. Herman Hembe; Pro-tem State Woman Leader, Chief Mrs. Abeje Egwa; Prof. Salifu David, Chairman of Apa Legacy Sustainability Initiative; Engr. Solomon Eigege; and several other stakeholders.
Others present were Hon. Apochi Nelson Owoicho, Hon. Ekoja Bashir, Hon. Abu Echo, Hon. Owoicho Oyi, Hon. Henry Otache, Hon. Otokpa, Hon. Joseph Ngbede, Hon. Philip Ebeyakwu, leader of the decampees Hon. Moses Agbo, Comr. Abu E. Adegahi, Engr. Nasir Abubakar, Hon. Usman Echono (Ochacho), Hon. Ibrahim Yusuf (10 10), Hon. Zack Rice, Hon. David Oge, Comr. Okoh Lawrence, Comr. Dan Atayi, Comr. Hwande T.C., among others.
Former lawmaker, Senator Shehu Sani, has called on Nigerians, especially those in their 30s, 40s, and 50s, to move beyond commenting on social media and take a more active role in the country’s political landscape.
In a post on X on Saturday, Sani encouraged Nigerians in the middle age to stop limiting themselves to online debates while younger politicians occupy elective offices.
He said surveys suggesting that Nigerian youths were more active on social media than in politics are not helpful, emphasising that true political engagement goes far beyond ‘likes, shares, and comments’ on social media.
Sani also encouraged aspiring politicians not to be discouraged by financial constraints, noting that many current officeholders faced significant challenges in their early political journeys.
“You are in your 30s, 40s or 50s, your Rep member is in his 30s and your House of Assembly member and Local Government Chairman are in their 20s. Excuse yourself from their comment section on Facebook, X and Instagram; register as a member of a political party and aspire to contest and give your people the kind of leadership you think they deserve. The recent survey that suggests that Nigerian youths are more on social media than in politics is not helpful. Don’t be discouraged or scared because ‘you don’t have money’ to join politics. You need to hear the story of most of those you see in power today; it wasn’t an easy ride from the beginning. If they can be, so you can,” Sani wrote.
Former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, has claimed that the Labour Party (LP) 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, is the only living person in the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
It was reports that Fayose made this known during an interview on Channels Television’s ‘Politics Today’ programme on Friday.
According to Fayose, other chieftains of the ADC and political figures in the party are old forces and no longer exist.
He said, “Obi is the only life in ADC; all other people in ADC are semi-existent. If Obi had gone to remain in Labour Party or has gone to Accord Party, he is the only life there. All the other people there, they are not existing. They are old-forces.”
Fayose also stated that he has no regret supporting President Bola Tinubu during the 2023 presidential election but will never join the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He stressed, “Openly, I supported Tinubu in 2023. I didn’t hide it. Till now I’m still there. I don’t jump. I have said it to you I’m not a member of APC and I will never be.”
Speaking further, the former Governor said that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is technically no more, adding that it is dead.
The former Governor equally said that Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde, should not be dragged into the woes of the PDP.
President Bola Tinubu and leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have reportedly resolved to save the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, following the impeachment proceedings initiated against him and the Deputy Governor, Ngozi Odu, by the House of Assembly.
It was learnt that while Fubara, who is reportedly out of the country, has yet to be served with the impeachment notice and he has the backing of power brokers and APC leaders to retain his seat.
Multiple sources who spoke to Vanguard stated that the recent comments by the National Secretary of the APC, Senator Ajibola Basiru, and the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, commending Fubara and recognising him as the leader of the party in Rivers, capture the mood of critical power brokers in the presidency.
Those said to be favourably disposed to Fubara include the Imo State Governor and chairman of the APC Governors Forum, Senator Hope Uzodimma and Transport Minister, Senator Dave Umahi.
Also, the Pan-Niger Delta Elders Forum (PANDEF), the apex socio-political body of the South-South geopolitical zone, was among the critical stakeholders who waded into the matter.
Rivers State Elder and chieftain of the PANDEF, Anabs Sara-Igbe, in an interview with Vanguard, called on President Tinubu to save the state from unnecessary tension arising from the third attempt by the legislators to remove Governor Fubara and his deputy from office.
Wike Shuns Comment On Fubara’s Impeachment
Meanwhile, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has maintained a loud silence as the presidency, APC leaders and stakeholders weigh in to resolve the reignited political crisis following the commencement of impeachment proceedings against Fubara.
Prior to the latest impeachment threat by the lawmakers who are largely Wike’s loyalists, the former Governor of Rivers State was always seen dancing, singing and using every political gathering to criticise Fubara.
However, Wike, who shunned comments on the impeachment proceedings, appeared sober when his “thank you” train landed in Andoni LGA of the state on Friday.
Unlike Wike, the minister, who did not spend more than five minutes addressing the huge crowd that came out to welcome him, and did not speak publicly on the impeachment move.