In a significant political development, former Imo State governor and ex-Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, has officially joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Addressing leaders of his Rebuild Imo Movement (RIM) at his Owerri residence on Thursday, Ihedioha declared his full allegiance to the ADC, calling on his vast grassroots political structure to begin mobilizing across the state under the new platform.
“My party, your party, and our party is now ADC. That is the way to go. That is the party for all of us,” Ihedioha stated to loud applause from party faithful and loyalists.
He urged his political base to return to their respective chapters, wards, local government areas, and zones to “take the gospel of the ADC” to the people, describing the party as a truly people-oriented platform capable of delivering meaningful leadership.
“Our strength is the people — the masses,” he said. “We already have representation in all the booths across the 305 wards in Imo State, and our structure across the 27 LGAs and three geopolitical zones is strong, viable, and functional.”
Ihedioha commended the leadership and members of RIM for their commitment, particularly acknowledging the Director General of the movement, zonal and ward executives, women, and youth leaders for what he described as “unwavering loyalty and administrative ingenuity.”
“Together, we shall triumph,” he concluded.
Ihedioha’s move adds momentum to the growing wave of defections from Nigeria’s traditional political blocs into the ADC, which has recently emerged as the adopted platform of a broad opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
His formal defection comes amid ongoing realignments across Nigeria’s political landscape, with several high-profile figures from the PDP, APC, and Labour Party said to be in talks or already aligning with the ADC’s national agenda.