Mr Akin Osuntokun, former Director-General of the Labour Party Presidential Campaign Council, has announced his defection to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), citing internal crises and loss of confidence in the Labour Party.
Osuntokun confirmed the move on Wednesday in Lagos, describing the ADC as the most viable opposition platform ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He said his departure from the Labour Party was influenced by what he described as internal sabotage and prolonged leadership disputes within the party.
According to him, the recent court ruling declaring Senator Nenadi Usman as the valid national chairman, alongside the dismissal of the Julius Abure-led National Working Committee, had deepened uncertainty.
Osuntokun noted that the intention of the ousted leadership to appeal the judgement further undermined confidence in the party’s stability.
He said the Labour Party was increasingly being used for purposes not aligned with national development, adding that the exit of the political group associated with Mr Peter Obi had effectively marked the end of his involvement with the party.
Describing the ADC as a credible and formidable opposition platform, Osuntokun said it offered the strongest chance of preventing what he termed a drift towards one-party dominance.
“That is the platform with the greatest potential now. It is the only viable option for those interested in stopping a one-party dictatorship,” he said.
Osuntokun revealed that while he had already resolved to join the ADC, his decision was accelerated by former Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi.
He added that his ties to the ADC predated his involvement with the Labour Party, noting that he was among the founders of the party, which emerged from the Coalition for Nigerian Movement led by former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
NAN reports that several prominent opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Senate President David Mark, Mr Peter Obi and former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, have adopted the ADC as their political platform ahead of the 2027 elections.
