The National Leader of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), Seriake Dickson, on Friday formally received a significant group of defectors from the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Labour Party (LP), and Social Democratic Party (SDP).
The defectors were presented at a press conference at Dickson’s residence in Abuja, led by suspended ADC chieftain Amanda Pam. A former National Legal Adviser of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2003, Pam also served as Mandate Secretary for Health in the Federal Capital Territory under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Pam arrived with several ward and local government chairmen, ADC stalwarts, and supporters of the Kwankwasiyya Movement in the Abuja Municipal Area Council, highlighting the scale of the defection. Notable individuals joining her included suspended ADC Chairman of AMAC, Omale Sule; former FCT ADC Women Leader, Princess Gladys Ngozi; ex-ADC Chairman of Kuje Area Council, Godwin Onoya; former Deputy ADC Chairman, Yusuf Adam; ex-FCT Youth Leader, Aliyu Umar; former SDP Chairman in the FCT, Nurudeen Bissallah; and the immediate past Deputy Chairman of the FCT Labour Party, Faruk Datsama.
Addressing journalists, Dickson welcomed the defectors, describing their arrival as a major boost for the NDC. “Power is good, but it must be for service. I want to welcome the former ‘Iron Lady’ of the PDP, Labour Party, ADC, and now NDC, Amanda Pam. She brings with her the ward and local government chairmen as well as the state women leader of the ADC in the FCT. I am happy she has brought the whole of the ADC members with her,” he said.
Dickson also highlighted the NDC’s growing influence nationwide, noting active presence in states such as Sokoto, Kebbi, and Lagos. Membership cards were officially presented to the defectors during the event.
Pam explained the defection was driven by the desire to join a viable opposition platform. “We are here to support a party with a clear ideology and strong leadership,” she said. “We are bringing 1,175 executives and their supporters to the FCT. Abuja voters know who they want to vote for, and I can assure you nobody will drive the NDC out of Abuja.”
The defections also included the collapse of the SDP structure in the FCT into the NDC, according to Bissallah, now appointed deputy state chairman. Datsama cited ongoing crises within the Labour Party as his motivation, calling the NDC and its leadership “the best option” for Nigeria.
These defections come amid internal turbulence in the ADC, particularly following the derecognition of the David Mark-led leadership and controversies surrounding the suspension of Senator Ireti Kingibe, later declared illegal by the National Working Committee.
