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Former members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, Senator Ayo Akinyelure and Gbenga Edema, have explained why they left the ruling party for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of the 2027 elections.
Naija News reports that the two politicians spoke with journalists in Akure, where they accused the APC of internal crisis, lack of recognition, poor organisation and alleged commercialisation of political appointments.
Akinyelure is the ADC candidate for Ondo Central Senatorial District, while Edema is the party’s candidate for Ilaje/Ese Odo Federal Constituency.
Akinyelure said he left the APC because the party had become disorganised and no longer offered a credible platform for serious candidates.
According to him, winning elections depends on the strength and credibility of a political platform, not just money or influence.
“I have gathered experience over the years. Winning an election is about getting the right platform to contest, not one riddled with problems and multiple candidates who rely only on money, not credibility,” he said.
He said he began looking for another party after studying the Independent National Electoral Commission timetable and the state of the APC in Ondo.
He added, “When I looked at the INEC timetable and the state of the APC, I saw no organisation. Everybody is a leader in their own corner.
“That’s why I searched for a party with discipline and found it in the ADC.”
The former senator also lamented that despite serving two terms in the Senate and winning elections on the platform of the APC, he was allegedly denied recognition within the party structure.
He stated, “As a politician, I value recognition. I don’t see myself staying in a party where, as a federal legislator, I’m not recognised.
“Where you are not recognised, you have many enemies. They will hide what you did right and magnify what you did wrong.”
Akinyelure expressed confidence that his record in the Senate would count in his favour in the election.
“The chances of winning belong to God. But if INEC conducts a free and fair election, my chances are about 80 to 90 percent,” he said.
Edema Alleges Commercialisation
On his part, Edema accused the APC of abandoning merit and commercialising political appointments.
“When you don’t reward excellence, when you commercialise positions, that’s the beginning of corruption,” he said.
He alleged that some people occupying federal appointments within the APC did not contribute to the growth of the party but secured positions through financial influence.
“If I give money to get an appointment, what am I going there to do except recover my money? That’s what is happening in the APC today,” he alleged.
Edema said he initially defected to the New Nigeria Peoples Party in 2024 but later lost confidence in the party.
He said his decision followed the party leadership’s congratulatory message to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa before the election was concluded.
“That told me everything about the integrity of the party’s leadership. That’s what brought me to the ADC,” he said.
Edema added that the current ADC was different from its previous structure, saying he was attracted by the credibility and commitment of its present leadership.
He added, “If you want to serve, it doesn’t matter in what capacity. I’ve served in the House of Assembly, as Chairman of OSOPADEC, and at the NDDC.
“I’ve dropped my ego and listened to my people who asked me to contest for the House of Representatives.”
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