The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Lagos State has welcomed a wave of defectors over the weekend, notably media entrepreneur and former Youth Party chairmanship aspirant Ayodele Adio, who arrived with a significant number of supporters.

The induction ceremony took place in Lekki Phase 1, Eti-Osa Local Government Area, where Adio and his followers were formally sworn into the ADC. Although Lagos State party chairman George Ashiru was absent, the induction was conducted by ADC 2023 Lagos Central senatorial candidate Yomi Idowu and Eti-Osa Local Government Chairman Elizabeth Ekanem.

Also in attendance was Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, Labour Party’s 2023 governorship candidate in Lagos, who defected to the ADC in 2025. Mrs. Ekanem described the ADC as a citizen-focused platform committed to national rebirth and inclusive development.

“ADC in Eti-Osa is positioning itself to amplify the voices of today’s citizens and future generations, while playing a decisive role in reshaping Nigeria ahead of 2027,” she said, noting the party’s readiness to tackle the country’s economic, educational, and humanitarian challenges.

Rhodes-Vivour emphasized the importance of opposition unity for meaningful political change. “If we are serious about offering Nigerians a credible alternative, the opposition must come together,” he said. “Ayodele Adio’s grassroots engagement speaks volumes, and we are excited about the value he brings to the ADC.”

Idowu praised Adio as a courageous advocate for community development and suggested that attempts to disrupt the gathering reflected the ADC’s growing influence in Lagos.

Addressing the crowd, Adio criticized successive Lagos administrations for abandoning the core principles of public service. “Almost 50 years after former governor Lateef Jakande warned about poverty living under our flyovers, that warning has become the lived experience of millions of Lagos residents,” he said. “While a small elite moves comfortably in tinted vehicles, the majority contend daily with waste-filled streets, open drains, and unaffordable housing.”

He further highlighted the challenges facing Lagos residents, including rising rents, poor sanitation, and declining public health, noting that these conditions have left many young people vulnerable to despair and social vices.

“Governance should be about the greatest good for the greatest number, but that responsibility has been neglected in Lagos,” Adio added, explaining that his decision to join the ADC was driven by a desire to promote “a politics that treats every child as equally important and leaders as servants, not rulers.”

He and his supporters were formally inducted into the ADC during the ceremony.