ADC chieftain Okai urges Makinde, Mohammed, Turaki faction to quit PDP
A Kogi-based political activist and chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, Usman Austin Okai, has called on prominent opposition figures to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party following recent legal
- ...says ADC's door is open for them
A Kogi-based political activist and chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, Usman Austin Okai, has called on prominent opposition figures to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party following recent legal setbacks affecting the party.
In a statement issued on Monday in Abuja, Okai urged members of the PDP Governors’ Forum, including Seyi Makinde and Bala Mohammed, as well as the Turaki-led faction, to join the ADC before the commencement of forthcoming ward congresses.
The appeal followed a Court of Appeal ruling on March 9, 2026, which affirmed a Federal High Court injunction restraining the recognition of the PDP’s disputed Ibadan convention.
Okai warned that the legal uncertainty surrounding the party could pose a major risk to politicians with ambitions for the 2027 elections.
“The Court of Appeal’s affirmation of the injunction against the Ibadan convention signals the likely direction of the Supreme Court,” he said. “There is a strong possibility that party primaries will be concluded before the Supreme Court delivers its final judgment. If the convention is eventually nullified, every candidate produced under that structure could be disqualified. Remaining in the PDP is therefore a major political risk.”
According to him, the ADC is strategically positioned to provide an alternative platform for politicians affected by the PDP’s internal disputes. He described the current state of the PDP as deeply troubled, warning that remaining within the party could indirectly benefit the ruling All Progressives Congress.
“The fate of the PDP for 2027 may already have been shaped by these legal battles,” Okai said. “Anyone serious about winning elections must begin to consider viable alternatives. The ADC offers a credible platform for building a strong opposition.”
Addressing the Turaki-led faction and grassroots supporters, Okai also emphasized the importance of the forthcoming direct primaries, urging members to register with the ADC to strengthen the party’s structure nationwide.
“We are inviting all progressives to join the ADC ahead of the ward congresses so that we can build a formidable alternative. If the country is to move forward, we must unite and organise effectively,” he added.
The PDP’s national convention held in Ibadan on November 15–16, 2025, has been the subject of prolonged litigation. With the Court of Appeal upholding the order restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission from recognising decisions taken at the convention, the party continues to face uncertainty over its leadership structure.
