The former director-general of the Labour Party (LP) presidential campaign council, Akin Osuntokun, has defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
According to NAN, Osuntokun exited the LP over the activities of “internal saboteurs” within the party.
He alleged that individuals controlling the LP were more focused on selling the party to the highest bidder, a move he said runs contrary to the interests of sincere members.
“Yes, it is correct. I am now in ADC,” Osuntokun was quoted as saying.
He also disclosed that the group he joined the LP with — the Peter Obi group — had already left the party.
Osuntokun said the declaration of Nenadi Usman as the legitimate national chairman of the LP, alongside the removal of the Julius Abure-led national working committee, had deepened uncertainty within the party.
He added that the decision by the Abure-led NWC to appeal the judgement further compounded the instability.
Osuntokun described the ADC as the most credible political platform currently available, stressing that Nigeria needs a strong opposition to avoid sliding into a one-party system.
He said the ADC presently has the strongest potential to operate as a formidable opposition force.
The former LP chieftain also revealed that although he had already resolved to join the ADC, the move was accelerated by Rotimi Amaechi, former minister of transportation.
Osuntokun noted that he is not new to the ADC, explaining that he was among the founding members who formed the party from the Coalition for Nigerian Movement led by former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
With the next general election scheduled for next year, several opposition leaders have reportedly adopted the ADC as the platform to challenge President Bola Tinubu.
Notable figures within the ADC include Atiku Abubakar, former vice-president; Peter Obi, LP’s 2023 presidential candidate; David Mark, former senate president; and Rauf Aregbesola, former minister of interior, among others.