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Leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) welcomed new members over the weekend in the Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State.
Among the notable individuals who joined the party was media entrepreneur and former Youth Party chairmanship aspirant, Ayodele Adio, who arrived with a large group of supporters.
The event was held in Lekki Phase 1, where Adio and his followers were officially inducted into the ADC.
Despite the absence of the Lagos State Chairman of the party, George Ashiru, the defectors were warmly received by the ADC’s 2023 Lagos Central senatorial candidate, Yomi Idowu, and the Eti-Osa Local Government Chairman of the party, Elizabeth Ekanem.
On behalf of the state leadership, they administered the oath of allegiance to the new members.
Also in attendance was Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, the Labour Party’s 2023 governorship candidate in Lagos, who switched to the ADC in 2025.
During her speech, Mrs. Ekanem described the ADC as a citizen-focused platform committed to fostering national renewal and inclusive development.
“The ADC in Eti-Osa is positioning itself to amplify the voices of today’s citizens and future generations while playing a crucial role in reshaping Nigeria ahead of 2027,” she stated, adding that the party is prepared to tackle the nation’s economic, educational, and humanitarian challenges.
Speaking at the event, Rhodes-Vivour emphasized the necessity of opposition unity, calling it vital for achieving meaningful political change.
“If we are serious about providing Nigerians with a credible alternative, the opposition must unite,” he remarked. “Without unity, elections are lost before they even begin. Ayodele Adio’s grassroots outreach is significant, and we are eager about the value he adds to the ADC.”
Mr. Idowu, in his address, commended Adio as a fearless advocate for community development, stating that his choice to join the ADC would bolster the party’s aspirations in Lagos and beyond.
He also indicated that attempts to disrupt the gathering were proof of the ADC’s increasing influence in the state.
Leading the new members, Adio took the opportunity to criticize successive Lagos administrations, accusing them of neglecting the core values of public service in favor of self-serving interests.
“Almost 50 years after former governor Lateef Jakande warned about poverty beneath our flyovers, that warning has become the reality for millions of Lagos residents,” he stated.
“While a small elite travels comfortably in tinted vehicles, the majority struggle daily with littered streets, open drains, and housing that is far beyond their means.”
He argued that escalating rents, poor sanitation, and deteriorating public health conditions have left many young people susceptible to despair, substance abuse, and gambling.
“Governance should prioritize the greatest good for the greatest number, but that responsibility has been overlooked in Lagos,” Adio explained, noting that his decision to join the ADC was motivated by a desire to promote “a politics that values every child equally and views leaders as servants rather than rulers.”
He then officially declared his membership in the ADC and was sworn in along with his supporters.
What is the ADC's mission in Lagos?
The ADC aims to be a citizen-focused platform that drives national rebirth and inclusive development, addressing economic, educational, and humanitarian challenges.
Who is Ayodele Adio?
Ayodele Adio is a media entrepreneur and former Youth Party chairmanship aspirant who recently joined the ADC, bringing with him a significant number of supporters.
What did Rhodes-Vivour emphasize at the event?
Rhodes-Vivour highlighted the importance of opposition unity for achieving meaningful political change and stressed that elections cannot be won without it.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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