Oyo Guber Aspirant Niyi Aborisade Defects from PDP to ADC, Blames Collapse of Internal Democracy
A governorship aspirant in Oyo State, Niyi Aborisade, has formally resigned from the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) and defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), citing prolonged internal crises, erosion of democratic values and unresolved leadership disputes within the opposition party.
Aborisade announced his defection on Monday in an address to the people of Oyo State and Nigerians, describing his exit from the PDP as the outcome of deep reflection, extensive consultations and failed reconciliation efforts.
According to him, remaining silent in the face of what he called persistent injustice and internal decay within the party had become “dangerous,” adding that the PDP was gradually losing its ideological foundation.
He accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of weakening democratic institutions and worsening economic hardship nationwide, while warning that the PDP, Nigeria’s main opposition party, was also undermining itself through internal paralysis and the unchecked ambitions of a few influential individuals.
“The PDP was founded in 1998 on sacrifice, dialogue and national unity,” Aborisade said. “For years, it stood for those ideals. But decline begins when values are abandoned and personal ambition overtakes collective purpose.”
He lamented that disagreements within the PDP were no longer resolved through dialogue, alleging that decisions were now imposed and factions deeply entrenched, a situation he said became glaring during the 2023 general elections.
“What we have today is not healthy disagreement but paralysis. Members are confused, supporters are discouraged, and the party no longer speaks with one voice,” he stated.
Aborisade disclosed that he consulted widely with elders, youths, women and party stakeholders across several local governments in Oyo State, as well as holding meetings in Abuja, in a bid to restore unity within the PDP. However, he said all reconciliation efforts were ignored.
“After careful thought, not in anger or haste, but guided by conscience, we are leaving the Peoples’ Democratic Party,” he declared.
He subsequently announced his defection to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), describing the party as a credible platform for political renewal and principle-driven governance.
“This move is not betrayal; it is renewal,” he said. “We are joining the ADC to rebuild politics around fairness, service and moral authority.”
Outlining his political vision for Oyo State, Aborisade promised policies focused on supporting farmers, empowering artisans and small businesses, equipping youths with employable skills and improving access to quality healthcare.
“Politics must return to service, and power must answer to the people,” he added.
Speaking at the event, the Oyo State Chairman of the ADC, Alhaji Yinka Olona, said the recent defection from the PDP was part of an ongoing trend, noting that it was neither the first nor the last, as the party continues to attract members from across the country. He said people were joining the ADC at all levels, arguing that the PDP had become largely irrelevant in Nigeria and was already on the path to extinction.
Olona described the ADC as the only viable opposition capable of offering Nigerians a credible alternative, adding that the party was steadily gaining strength nationwide. He also commended the ADC’s national leadership, including the National Chairman, Senator David Mark, the National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, and the Deputy National Chairman from Oyo State, Dr Bamidele Ajadi, for their roles in building a strong and inclusive party.
He concluded by urging Nigerians to choose courage and principle over silence, insisting that history would judge leaders by their actions rather than party affiliations, as he ended with the ADC slogan: “Arise and Shine, Oyo.”