Usman Austin Okai urges PDP governors and Turaki faction to defect to ADC amid legal turmoil and 2027 election concerns

Kogi political activist and African Democratic Congress chieftain Usman Austin Okai has called on prominent Peoples Democratic Party figures, including Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, to defect to the ADC immediately.

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The announcement was made in Abuja on 9 March 2026 following the Court of Appeal ruling that upheld a Federal High Court injunction restraining recognition of the PDP’s Ibadan national convention.

Okai described the PDP’s legal instability as a ticking time bomb that could jeopardise the ambitions of party members ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He specifically urged the Turaki-led faction to consider ADC membership before the commencement of ward congresses, stressing that remaining in the PDP would pose significant political risks.

“The Court of Appeal’s affirmation signals the likely direction of the Supreme Court. Primaries may conclude before a final determination, and any candidate produced under the disputed convention could be disqualified,” Okai said. “The ADC is the only credible platform left for a genuine third force capable of challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress.”

Highlighting the party’s strategic positioning, Okai encouraged grassroots supporters to register with the ADC to build a unified opposition front.

He noted that consolidation under the ADC would offer a viable alternative for progressive politicians seeking to influence the national political landscape.

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Observers noted that Okai’s intervention reflects a growing trend of political realignment among opposition figures amid legal turbulence within the PDP. The activist emphasised that those committed to winning in 2027 must prioritise stability and credible political platforms.