A group of senior leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State has officially joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC), citing ongoing crises and “gross indiscipline” within their former party.

The defection, formalised at an affirmation ceremony in Lagos on Saturday, was led by former Lagos PDP chairman Tunji Shelle, who resigned from the party alongside other notable figures, including former PDP Board of Trustees member Abimbola Ogunkelu, ex-State PDP Chairman Muritala Ashorobi, PDP Vice Chairman (Lagos East) Tai Benedict, former Youth Leader Niyi Adams, and ex-South West Secretary Rahman Owokoniran. Some members of the Labour Party also participated in the shift.

ADC National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola and other party leaders welcomed the defectors, emphasising the strength of the party’s leadership.
Speaking to reporters, Mr. Shelle criticised the PDP leadership for failing to contain destabilising activities by certain national figures. He specifically accused Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, of undermining the party while allegedly working with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

“Wike cannot hijack the party, and the rest of us continue to look as if we are helpless,” Shelle said. “One man cannot say he is working for APC while on the other hand keeps holding PDP to ransom. I think the leaders are compromised.”
He described the defection as a significant blow to the PDP in Lagos, adding, “PDP is now empty with all its leaders moving to ADC in Lagos.”

Shelle praised ADC’s leadership, noting the role of Interim Chairman David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola in strengthening the party.
“There are no distractions in ADC. The party leaders are not people anyone can buy over. ADC has all it takes to save the situation in Nigeria and give the people the country of their dream,” he said.

Other defectors echoed similar concerns. Rahman Owokoniran said, “PDP is gone, there is nothing there. ADC is the only opportunity to challenge the ruling APC.”
Tai Benedict added that more PDP members were expected to join ADC soon, stating, “We are emptying PDP members in Lagos State into ADC. Others are on the way; they want to take their last supper before coming.”

Niyi Adams claimed that over 5,000 PDP members had defected to ADC across the state’s 20 local governments. He expressed confidence that the new recruits would actively work to ensure ADC’s success in the 2027 general elections.

Shelle also expressed scepticism that PDP would resolve its internal crises even after its scheduled National Convention in November, highlighting the enduring instability within the party’s ranks.