By Nkechinyere Ewa
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has recorded a major political boost in Ebonyi State following the defection of Hon. Moses Odi Nweze, a former coordinator of Onicha development center and erstwhile Deputy National Youth Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South East.
Nweze formally joined the ADC on Monday at a well-attended rally held in Amanato Ward, Onicha LGA, where he led over 2,000 supporters who also defected from the PDP, and Labour Party into the ADC. The event drew party leaders, stakeholders and a mammoth crowd, signaling a growing realignment in the local political landscape.
Addressing supporters shortly after his defection, Nweze cited protracted litigations, internal crises and lack of ideological direction within the PDP as reasons for his resignation from the party. He declared his full commitment to the ADC, describing it as a platform of truth, liberation and people-centered governance.
โI stand by ADC, and I stand with my people the lovers of good and those who desire liberation,โ Nweze said. โOur people love truth, and ADC has the truth to say. That truth must be unveiled. From today, we are dedicating Onicha Local Government to ADC. ADC will be the song on the lips of our people, for the freedom and liberation of Nigeria from poverty and bad governance.โ
He further assured party leaders that more defections were imminent, noting that several stakeholders who could not attend due to time constraints had sent their solidarity messages. โYou will see more movements into ADC. The APC has been rejected by our people, and they can never return to rule Nigeria again,โ he added.
Receiving the defectors, the Ebonyi State Chairman of ADC, Dr. Jennifer Adibe-Nwafor, described the mass defection as a clear sign of public frustration with the prevailing socio-economic realities in the country. She said Nigerians had reached a point where they must take their destinies into their own hands.
โWhen you go to the market today with one million naira, you hardly buy anything. So we said enough is enough,โ Adibe-Nwafor stated. โThis is the time to fight for our future and the future of our children. ADC is not just about winning elections; it is about changing destinies and providing welfare, quality healthcare and basic social amenities for the people.โ
She commended Nweze for abandoning a comfortable political position to embrace what she described as a bold and visionary decision. โIt is not easy to leave the old house for a new one, but he chose ADC because of our manifesto and our commitment to the people. This party will not disappoint you,โ she assured the new members.
The ADC state chairman also highlighted the partyโs inclusive approach ahead of the forthcoming local government elections, contrasting ADCโs nomination fees with those of the ruling party. According to her, ADC pegged its chairmanship form at โฆ500,000 and councillorship at โฆ150,000, with special concessions for women aspirants, a move she said was aimed at deepening grassroots participation.
Also speaking, the ADC Chairman in Onicha LGA, Comrade Uzor Charles, explained that the gathering was to officially welcome decampees from different political parties into ADC. He disclosed that over 2,000 people were already present despite the short notice, adding that many more stakeholders had indicated interest in joining the party.
โOur people are tired of the situation in Nigeria, and that is why you see this crowd,โ he said. โThis is just the beginning. In the next few weeks, you will see more than 10,000 people joining ADC in this local government.โ
Similarly, the Amanato Ward Chairman of ADC, Mr. Nelson Okonkwo Nwadibia, confirmed that all defectors had been duly registered and issued membership cards. He described the turnout as โjust the tip of the iceberg,โ predicting a massive influx of new members in the coming days.
The mass defection is being viewed by political observers as a significant development ahead of the local government elections in Ebonyi State, with ADC positioning itself as a growing force in Onicha LGA and beyond.