Former Lagos PDP Chairman Tunji Shelle Defects To ADC

On Saturday, former Lagos State PDP Chairman Tunji Shelle announced his resignation from the party and formally joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Shelle, alongside several PDP stalwarts and some Labour Party members, was welcomed into the ADC at an affirmation ceremony in Lagos by the party’s National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, and other leaders. Among the defectors were former PDP Board of Trustees member Abimbola Ogunkelu, ex-state PDP Chairman Muritala Ashorobi, PDP Vice Chairman (Lagos East) Tai Benedict, former Youth Leader Niyi Adams, and former South West Secretary Rahman Owokoniran.

Explaining his defection, Shelle accused PDP leaders of failing to curb what he called the “destabilising activities” of certain national figures. He singled out FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, alleging that Wike was working for the APC while holding PDP to ransom.

“Wike cannot hijack the party, and the rest of us continue to look as if we are helpless or we are no human beings. I don’t take it. I don’t like being subjected to such ridicule. One man cannot say he is working for APC while on the other hand keeps holding PDP to ransom. I think the leaders are compromised,” Shelle said.

He declared that his exit, along with that of other top leaders, had left the PDP in Lagos severely weakened. “PDP is now empty with all its leaders moving to ADC in Lagos,” he added.

Shelle praised the ADC as a party of “tested and trusted politicians” capable of challenging the APC in 2027. “There are no distractions in ADC. The party leaders are not people anyone can buy over. ADC has all it takes to save the situation in Nigeria and give the people the country of their dream,” he said. He also expressed confidence in the leadership of Interim Chairman David Mark and National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola to steer the party toward victory.

Other defectors echoed Shelle’s sentiments. Former South West PDP Secretary Rahman Owokoniran said: “PDP has lost track. PDP is gone, there is nothing there. ADC is the only opportunity to challenge the ruling APC.”

PDP Vice Chairman (Lagos East) Tai Benedict added that more members were preparing to leave: “We are emptying PDP members in Lagos State into ADC. Others are on the way; they want to take their last supper before coming.”

Former PDP Youth Leader Niyi Adams claimed that over 5,000 members had already defected across Lagos’ 20 local government areas. He stressed that the defectors were determined to work “assiduously to ensure victory for ADC in the 2027 general elections,” adding that he did not believe the PDP could resolve its internal crises even after its planned national convention in November.