The political drum beat ahead of 2027 general elections, is beginning to sound louder just as the momentum is gathering storm in most States of the federation.
One of such states is Ondo State in South West Nigeria where two former governorship candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Eyitayo Jegede and Chief Agboola Ajayi have formally dumped the party and joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Their defection signalled a major paradigm shift just as several top politicians rally around the unified coalition of opposition politicians aimed at challenging the dominance of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led All Progressives Congress (APC).
The two former governorship candidates were joined by some key political figures from the PDP, including former Ondo South Senator Nicholas Tofowomo, ex-lawmaker Prof. Bode Ayorinde, former PDP State Chairman Tola Alabere, and former State Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Kennedy Peretei.
Speaking during the inauguration of the Coalition’s state structure, Professor Ayorinde, who serves as the state coordinator, described the wave of defections as a reflection of growing public dissatisfaction.
He said; “We started this movement with just 25 people. Today, we are over 300 strong. That growth is a clear response to the failure of the ruling party in Ondo.
“All the 18 local governments are showing support. We are expanding daily,” he added.
Ayorinde said that the coalition is rooted in grassroots mobilization and not financial inducement, thus assured supporters that membership cards would soon be distributed across the wards and local councils.
He made it clear he is not contesting any political position, but focused on building a broad-based platform that would accommodate everyone.
Speaking in turn, Kennedy Peretei described the emergence of the coalition as both timely and necessary, adding that it is not just about big names joining a new party, but about people responding to the urgent need for political direction in Ondo and in Nigeria at large.
Peretei said that in some areas, PDP structures have already completely dissolved into the ADC, suggesting the opposition party’s influence is fading in parts of the state.
He said; “There was fear that Nigeria might slip into a one-party system, but that fear is quickly fading. The ruling party knows the tide is turning”.
Peretei hinted at disunity within the APC, and pointedly said that the Coalition would take full advantage of any internal cracks in the ruling APC, saying; “Today is just the beginning. Expect more political shifts in the coming days”.
