Imo ADC Gains Momentum as Heavyweights from PDP and LP Defect
The political landscape of Imo State witnessed a seismic shift on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) solidified its position as the new “Third Force” in the state. During a high-octane Mega Stakeholders’ Summit held at the party’s State Secretariat in Owerri, a wave of influential leaders from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP) officially dumped their former platforms to join the ADC.
This mass defection is widely seen as a strategic consolidation of the opposition in the South-East, especially following the recent national alignment of Peter Obi with the ADC. The summit, which attracted a galaxy of political veterans, was a clear signal that the ADC is no longer a peripheral player but a central hub for the 2027 “Rescue Nigeria” mission in Imo State.
The Faces of the New ADC: Key Defectors
The breakthrough was marked by the formal reception of several high-profile figures whose exit from their former parties has left a significant void in the PDP and LP structures.
- Hon. Chief Mrs. Ifeyinwa Arodiogbo: The South-East Zonal Woman Leader of the PDP, whose defection is expected to trigger a mass exodus of women leaders from the PDP across the region.
- Hon. Chief Innocent NwaDavid: The Imo State Chairman of the Labour Party, whose move effectively decapitates the LP leadership in the state and signals a total collapse of the party’s local structure.
- Hon. Dr. (Mrs.) Ngozi Njoku: A former Commissioner and a prominent leader within the “Obidient Movement,” bridging the gap between youth activism and structured partisan politics.
- Chief Paul Mbadiwe: The son of the legendary nationalist K.O. Mbadiwe, bringing a legacy of “Timber and Calibre” and deep historical prestige to the ADC fold.
Ihedioha and Udenwa: The Architects of a New Coalition
The summit was chaired by a former Governor of Imo State, Chief Achike Udenwa, and featured a keynote address by another former Governor, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha. Ihedioha, who formally presented the new members, emphasized that the ADC is built on a foundation of internal democracy and accountability—values he claimed are now extinct in the PDP and LP.
Ihedioha urged the new entrants to “bury their personal egos” and work for the collective good of the state. He argued that the current economic hardship in the country requires a disciplined political platform that prioritizes the welfare of the people over the interests of godfathers.
The presence of these two former governors has lent immense credibility to the ADC, transforming it from a “minority party” into a formidable government-in-waiting. Their involvement suggests that a “Big Tent” coalition is being built to challenge the APC’s dominance in the state and the national level in 2027.
Why the ADC is Gaining Ground in Imo
The defectors were unanimous in their reasons for joining the ADC. They described the PDP and Labour Party as platforms that have “aligned with the ruling APC” or have become paralyzed by internal fractures.
- Ideological Clarity: Unlike the factions currently tearing the LP apart, the ADC is perceived as having a stable leadership under Senator David Mark and the state chairmanship of Prof. James Okoroma.
- The Peter Obi Factor: The recent formalization of Peter Obi’s membership in the ADC has acted as a catalyst, making the party the natural destination for his massive “Obidient” following in the South-East.
- Grassroots Penetration: Prof. James Okoroma disclosed during the summit that the ADC has successfully established a presence in all 305 electoral wards across the 27 Local Government Areas of Imo State.
Strategic Fundraising: N230 Million Secured
To fuel its ambitious expansion, the Imo ADC chapter also launched a strategic fundraising drive during the summit. The event successfully raised N230 million, which the party leadership says will be used to deepen its institutional presence at the grassroots level.
Ihedioha encouraged the business community and Imo indigenes in the diaspora to invest in the party, describing it as a “necessary sacrifice for the liberation of our state.” This financial war chest is intended to fund the massive membership mobilization and digital revalidation exercises scheduled for the first quarter of 2026.
A New Political Map for 2027
The “Gale of Defections” in Owerri is not just a local event; it is a precursor to a national realignment. With the Labour Party chairman in Imo and the PDP South-East woman leader now in the ADC, the traditional “three-way race” in Nigerian politics is being replaced by a binary contest: the APC versus the ADC Coalition.
Stakeholders at the summit, including the ADC South-East Chairman, Born Unachukwu, stated that the goal is to make the ADC the “single repository” of the South-East’s political aspirations. By bringing together the “Timber and Calibre” of the old guard and the “Soro Soke” energy of the youth, the party is positioning itself as the only credible alternative to the status quo.
Conclusion: The Road to 2027
The Imo ADC Mega Stakeholders’ Summit has effectively fired the first shot of the 2027 campaign season. The formal entry of Arodiogbo, NwaDavid, and Njoku marks the end of the PDP and LP as dominant opposition forces in Imo State. As the “Third Force” continues to gain momentum, the focus will now shift to how the ADC manages its newfound heavyweights and whether it can maintain the internal democracy that attracted them in the first place.
The political map of the South-East is being redrawn, and for now, all roads seem to lead to the African Democratic Congress.
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