By Achile Danjuma
The governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Ekiti State, Dare Bejide, has welcomed over 200 new members into the party, vowing to make infrastructure development and the improvement of rural communities a central focus of his administration if elected.
Bejide made the pledge on Thursday in Ikole Ekiti, the headquarters of Ikole Local Government Area, while receiving the new defectors, who stated they were leaving the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join the ADC.
The mass defection comes ahead of the Ekiti State governorship election, scheduled by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for June 20, which will see candidates from at least 13 political parties vying for the office.
During his address, Bejide highlighted the poor condition of the road leading to Ikole Ekiti as a symbol of the neglect faced by many communities. He used the opportunity to outline his administration’s primary objectives.
“The deplorable state of the Ikole Road, and others like it across the state, will be my priority in government,” Bejide stated. “We will fix them. Good roads are not just a luxury; they are essential for economic development, ensuring the smooth movement of people, goods, and agricultural produce, as well as enhancing the safety of lives and property.”
He further elaborated on his vision, saying, “Our focus will be on the welfare of our people. This means prioritising access to electricity, quality healthcare, quality education, and food security. These are the fundamental reasons the people of Ekiti State should vote for the ADC—to have good lives and a truly developed state.”
Bejide assured the new members that they are now integral to the party, emphasising the inclusivity of the ADC’s manifesto. “ADC’s manifesto is designed to cater for the needs of all our people, regardless of their political or religious affiliations,” he added.
Also addressing the gathering, the ADC deputy governorship candidate, Chief Ayodeji Babatola, promised that an ADC-led government would bring governance closer to the people by ensuring their active involvement in decision-making processes.
The State Chairman of the ADC, Ilesanmi Omoloyo, welcomed the defectors to the party’s fold, guaranteeing them equal treatment and the same opportunities as existing members. “You will be treated equally and enjoy the same benefits as all our members,” Omoloyo assured.
Adding his voice, a chieftain of the ADC and former Commissioner in Ekiti State, Segun Akinwunmi, identified the lack of autonomy for local governments as a major impediment to rural progress. He urged residents to support Bejide to bring about accelerated development at the grassroots level.
Speaking on behalf of the new members, Bamidele Ologuntoye explained that their decision to leave their former parties was driven by the ADC’s internal democracy and promising prospects. He confirmed their commitment to working for the party’s victory in the area. “The organisation, the internal democracy, and the prospects of the ADC are the reasons we decided to dump our former parties and join ADC,” Ologuntoye said.