ADC Sets Tough Rules for Makinde and Others to Join Party, Warns Against Structure Hijack

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Oyo State has sent a clear message to Governor Seyi Makinde and other political bigwigs eyeing the party: you are welcome, but you must leave your “godfather” ambitions at the door.

Speaking during a stakeholders’ meeting in Moniya, Ibadan, on Monday, the state Chairman, Yinka Olona, addressed the swirling rumors of a potential defection by the Governor and his allies from the PDP. While Olona confirmed that the ADC is ready to expand its ranks, he insisted that the party’s internal democracy is not for sale and cannot be bypassed.

“Our doors are wide open, but we have rules,” Olona told journalists. “Governor Makinde is free to join, but he must be willing to comply with our guidelines. We are a party of procedures, and we will not allow any individual to come in and hijack the structure we have built over the years.”

The ADC is positioning itself as the “credible alternative” for 2027, riding on a wave of national coalition building that has already attracted former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and sparked talks with the Obidient movement. In Oyo State, the party is capitalizing on the perceived “failure” of the two major parties, describing the current political climate as a struggle for the soul of the masses.

According to party leaders, any new member whether a sitting governor or an ordinary citizen—will be treated equally under the ADC’s constitution. This “level playing field” approach is intended to prevent the internal crises that have recently fractured the PDP and APC.

While the ADC leadership admitted there have been no formal talks with Governor Makinde yet, the invitation serves as a strategic “soft landing” for politicians who may find themselves displaced as the 2027 election machinery begins to grind.