A former Nigerian ambassador to Canada and prominent figure in Ekiti State’s African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dare Bejide, has asserted that his party is poised to challenge Nigeria’s political establishment in upcoming elections, including the 2026 gubernatorial race. Speaking during his 66th birthday celebration in Ado-Ekiti, Bejide, a governorship hopeful and founding secretary of the state’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), claimed the ADC is rapidly attracting defectors from major parties like the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and opposition PDP due to disillusionment with their leadership.
“Every day, we receive new members from the APC, PDP, and others,” said Bejide, addressing supporters. He criticized his former party, alleging the PDP had been “hijacked by bad actors,” while claiming the APC had abandoned democratic principles. The ADC, he argued, would differentiate itself through transparent candidate selection processes to avoid the “imposition” practices he attributed to rivals. “When primaries are fair, even losers accept outcomes. Other parties risk分裂 due to backroom dealings,” he added.
Bejide outlined policy priorities focused on youth employment and women’s inclusion, emphasizing mechanized farming, free vocational training centers across Ekiti’s three senatorial districts, and exceeding Nigeria’s 34% affirmative action benchmark for women in government roles. Infrastructure rehabilitation, particularly road repairs, also featured in his agenda.
Supporting his bid, ADC stalwart Segun Akinwumi cited growing public dissatisfaction with Ekiti’s current APC-led administration. “Voters seek credible alternatives, and Bejide embodies that change,” Akinwumi said, predicting heightened visibility for the party in coming months.
The ADC’s confidence follows a trend of smaller parties positioning themselves as reformers amid Nigeria’s shifting political landscape. While the PDP and APC have dominated recent elections, analysts note rising scrutiny over internal party disputes and governance challenges, potentially creating openings for emergent groups. Bejide’s background as a diplomat and party insider lends weight to his critiques, though the ADC’s ability to translate defections into electoral success remains untested in Ekiti, where voter loyalties have historically been firm.
