Ex-Lagos PDP Chieftains Defect to ADC, Citing Party Crises
Lagos, August 2025 – Several high-profile members of the Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), including former state chairman Hon. Rahman Owokoniran, have formally defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), attributing their departure to ongoing crises within the PDP.
The defection was celebrated at an ADC event in Ikeja attended by key figures such as Chief Onita Coker, Hon. Kayode Jacobs, Dr. Tai Oyekan, Hon. Steven Olanrewaju, Hon. Hakeem Kolawole Olanrewaju, and Prince Segun Adeyeye, all of whom received their ADC membership cards .
In a statement delivered during the event, Owokoniran, former leader of the Lagos PDP coalition, described the ADC as a convergence of "visionaries and patriots committed to advancing democracy, inclusiveness, and good governance." He positioned the move as a pivotal moment for building stronger political structures and increasing grassroots participation .
The ADC’s Lagos State Chairman, George Ashiru, and members of the State Working Committee welcomed the defection, noting that Owokoniran's experience would bolster the party's presence in the region .
In response, the PDP in Lagos swiftly expelled the defectors, declaring that their alignment with a coalition party constituted a breach of party loyalty and discipline. The decision was made at a stakeholders’ meeting involving state elders and local government chairmen, who also resolved to prepare for upcoming party congresses between September and November 2025 .