Former national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie Oyegun, has been handed the membership card of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) by the Edo state chairman of the party, Mr. Kennedy Odion in Benin.

Presenting him with the party’s card at the party’s secretariat in Benin, Mr. Odion said Oyegun is not new to forming a coalition, adding that, he has done it before and he is doing it again with the view of redeeming the nation from its economic quagmire.

“He has put together what is called a coalition before and he succeeded. So, in mathematics, once you understand the formula, the answer is in view. So, he understands how he did it before so doing it again is not a difficult task.

“So as God may have it, he is not from any other state but from the heartbeat of this nation cum Edo State and we are moving the coalition together.

READ ALSO: Why I Support ADC’s Coalition But Remain In PDP — Lamido

“He was the chairman of the implementation committee that decided that ADC will be the platform”, Odion said.

On the part of Oyegun, he said before they settled for ADC, they had made extensive research and found out that it is the party that has the interest of Nigerians at heart.

“We talked to a lot of parties about seven others. Up till the very last minute. We made a report and we said ADC. And some said, “No, no, no, you must still talk to this, you must still talk to that.” So, we delayed decision for another fortnight.

“At the end of our meeting, we still came back. I said, “Yes, what you ask us to do? We’ve done. We’ve talked to the others, but we have not seen a party as dedicated as the ADC”, Oyegun said.

READ ALSO: ADC Unveiled In Benue, Woo Gov Alia

Oyegun further blamed the ruling APC for the hunger and starvation in the country.

He also blamed the APC led government for its inability to tackle the rising insecurity in the country especially in Benue and other states just as he said that, the nation has never been so divided as it is under the present leadership of Bola Tinubu.

He said those who are peddling the rumour that the ADC is planning to disrupt the government of the day are only trying to dinimish the aims and objectives of the coalition which is to rescue Nigerians.

READ ALSO: Coalition: Why ADC Leaders Stepped Down — Nwosu

While commending the growth of the party, he said the party is growing by the day and that more other notable politicians are still coming to join them soon.

“So, from a month ago, you were just ADC. Today, one can say we are the largest party in this nation. We are growing by the day, we are growing by the week. We are growing by the months. People understand. In all parties, we are not talking, it’s still ADC but ADC is now a mix of the best of PDP.

“Some of the best of APC, a lot of them are still coming on the way. And all the other parties. And the good thing is that, you haven’t seen a lot of the faces yet both professionals, people who never thought of politics, people who just finished from minding heights of the economy, but in whatever service, I don’t want to mention the various services”, Oyegun said.

African Democratic Congress, ADC, has accused APC and the federal government of hypocrisy over their sudden display of grief, following the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

The ADC said the ruling party, which had spent the last two years blaming Buhari for Nigeria’s challenges, was now seeking to portray itself as the chief mourner.

In a statement signed by Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC’s Interim National Publicity Secretary and spokesperson for the opposition coalition, the party reaffirmed its declaration of a three-day mourning period across all its chapters and structures, beginning today.

READ ALSO:Why I Support ADC’s Coalition But Remain In PDP — Lamido

‘’During this period, the ADC will suspend all political activities and public statements in honour of Buhari’s contributions to the country.

“Regardless of political affiliations, what cannot be denied is that President Buhari served this country with a fierce sense of duty, personal discipline, and conviction,” the statement read.

The party also highlighted Buhari’s popularity among ordinary Nigerians, especially the poor, who, it said, ‘stuck with him throughout his political sojourn and thereafter.’

READ ALSO:97 Lawyers Line Up To Defend ADC, Mark, Aregbesola Against APC’s ‘Fake Lawsuit’

However, the ADC expressed disappointment over what it called APC’s sudden shift in tone, saying “we note with regrets that his own political party and the government, which had done everything in the last two years to tarnish his records, dismantle his legacies, and blame him for every one of their failings, are now posturing as the chief mourners at his burial.’’

The party described this behaviour as ‘sheer hypocrisy’ and a ‘brazen move to harvest political gains from a national tragedy.’

It further urged Buhari’s family and loyalists to be cautious of what it called political opportunism during this mourning period, and encouraged Nigerians to reflect on Buhari’s enduring qualities.

“Let his memory be a mirror that reflects the personal ethics we must continue to demand from leadership for generations to come,” Abdullahi added.
(VANGUARD)

Former Jigawa State governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido, has said while his support for the Senator David Mark-led adopted party, African Democratic Congress, ADC, remained, his loyalty to Peoples Democratic Party PDP, was unquestionable.

This came on a day African Democratic Congress, ADC, accused the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the federal government of hypocrisy over their sudden display of grief, following the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Lamido spoke to a crowd of his loyalists at an empowerment event organised by Senator Mustapha Khabeeb (PDP, Jigawa South West), in Dutse, the Jigawa State capital, over the weekend.

The former governor, who is one of the founding fathers of the PDP, said the coalition of opposition parties was put together to salvage Nigerians from the misrule of the ruling All Progressives Congress in order to rebuild Nigeria.

READ ALSO: ADC Unveiled In Benue, Woo Gov Alia

Lamido said: “Yes, I support the coming together of the opposition under the ADC, but let it be known I will never leave the PDP. I built this house with my sweat and soul. My role now is to offer guidance and ensure Nigeria finds her way back.”

He blasted the APC-led administration at both the state and federal levels for failing the people in every sphere of governance.

“The three PDP federal lawmakers from Jigawa are serving the people. APC lawmakers? They’re serving only themselves. Let the people judge.” He declared.

In a symbolic gesture to signal unity among opposition parties in the state, Lamido introduced Kabiru Hussaini, the state ADC chairman to the PDP crowd.

Senator Mustapha Khabeeb, the host of the event, echoed Lamido’s sentiments, reminding the audience of the PDP’s legacy of progress, especially during Lamido’s time as governor.

He said: “From 1999 to 2015, and especially under Sule Lamido, Jigawa knew what development looked like—roads, schools, hospitals, real change. What do we have now? APC has brought nothing but hunger and hopelessness.”

Khabeeb equally showcased his efforts to continue the PDP legacy through massive empowerment drives.

According to him, this year alone, over 3,000 people were lifted by distribution of equipment, including 600 irrigation machines,100 solar-powered irrigation units,100 paddy rice threshers, sewing and grinding machines and 750 sprayers and 3,000 litres of herbicide

“We’re not waiting for miracles, we’re working. Just like we did last year, and in 2023, we’re lifting our people out of poverty one tool, one machine at a time.

“Compare for yourself—under PDP and Lamido, there was progress. Under APC? Na talauci kawai suka kawo (they only brought poverty),’’ the lawmaker said.

The rally ended with chants of PDP solidarity, as supporters vowed to defend the party’s legacy and prepare for what many are calling a grand opposition comeback in 2027.
(VANGUARD)