NDC Gains Momentum As Ex-Gombe Deputy Governor, Edo Lawmakers Dump PDP

The newly formed Nigeria Democratic Congress recorded a major political breakthrough on Wednesday as prominent politicians from Gombe and Edo states officially defected to the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Leading the defectors was John Lazarus Yoriyo, a two-term former Deputy Governor of Gombe State, alongside two serving members of the Edo State House of Assembly — Minority Leader Charity Aiguobarueghian and Natasha Idibia, wife of Nigerian music star Innocent Idibia.

The high-profile defection ceremony took place in Abuja and was hosted by NDC National Leader and former Bayelsa State Governor Henry Seriake Dickson.

The event attracted political stakeholders, activists, and supporters from across the country, including activist Aisha Yesufu, former Zamfara senator Kabiru Marafa, and 2Face Idibia.

Speaking during the event, Dickson said the NDC was established to revive ideological politics and rebuild democratic institutions weakened by internal crises and self-interest within existing political parties.

“This party is not a platform for transactional politics. We want to institutionalise a movement that will outlive all of us,” he said.

The former governor lamented what he described as the gradual collapse of Nigeria’s political heritage, accusing established parties of abandoning core democratic values.

Explaining his decision to leave the Peoples Democratic Party, Aiguobarueghian described the PDP as a “sinking ship” plagued by prolonged instability and internal divisions.

“A captain will not remain in a sinking ship so that he will perish with it,” the Edo lawmaker stated.

He also highlighted his legislative achievements, including the sponsorship of 44 bills and the execution of constituency projects such as schools, transformers, and water schemes.

NDC Deputy National Publicity Secretary Abdulmumin Abdusalam described the defections as a major boost for the party, claiming more governors, former governors, lawmakers, and political stakeholders were expected to join in the coming weeks.

“Our party is like the beautiful bride every groom wants right now,” Abdusalam said.

He also dismissed reports suggesting that the NDC had already zoned its presidential ticket to the South in favour of Peter Obi, insisting that consultations were ongoing and that all options remained open.

Addressing the gathering, 2Face Idibia urged Nigerians to make informed political choices and hold leaders accountable.

“We want to see results. Everybody should use their conscience and understanding to make the right choices,” the musician said.

Political observers believe the growing wave of defections into the NDC reflects increasing dissatisfaction with Nigeria’s mainstream political parties and signals the emergence of a potentially formidable opposition force ahead of the 2027 elections.