Former Gombe Deputy Governor, Edo Lawmakers, Others Defect To NDC

The newly formed Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) on Wednesday recorded a major political boost as a prominent politician and two term former Deputy Governor of Gombe State, John Lazarus Yoriyo, and two serving lawmakers from the Edo State House of Assembly, Hon. Charity Aiguobarueghian and the wife of popular Nigerian muscian, Hon Natasha Idibia and other prominent political figures formally from the state defected to the party at a ceremony hosted by the National leader of the party, former Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, in Abuja.

The reception attracted politicians, activists and supporters from across the states, signaling what party leaders described as growing national acceptance of the NDC as an alternative political platform.

Among those present at the event were activist Aisha Yesufu, former Zamfara senator, Kabiru Marafa, music star. Innocent Idibia, popularly known as 2Face Idibia, some political leaders in Edo state among other stakeholders.

The highpoint of the gathering was the formal defection of the Minority Leader of the Edo State House of Assembly, Honourable Charity Aiguobarueghian, and Natasha Idibia alongside other political actors from Edo State into the NDC.

Speaking during the ceremony, Senator Dickson said the NDC was established to address what he described as the collapse of ideological politics and leadership failure in Nigeria.

According to him, the party intends to promote principled leadership, internal democracy and national unity.

“This party is not a platform for transactional politics. We want to institutionalize a political movement that will outlive all of us — a party for our children and grandchildren,” Dickson stated.

The former governor lamented the state of Nigeria’s political institutions, saying many established parties had been weakened by internal crises and selfish interests.

“What happened to Nigeria’s political heritage? Today, we are witnessing the dismantling of political institutions by those who should preserve them,” he added.

Dickson said the NDC remained open to Nigerians from different political backgrounds who share the vision of rebuilding the country.

Explaining his decision to dump the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Aiguobarueghian described the move as difficult but necessary.

The Edo lawmaker said although he strongly believed in party loyalty and political ideology, the persistent internal crisis within the PDP had made the party unstable.

“A captain will not remain in a sinking ship so that he will perish with it. That will not be heroism; that will be cowardice,” he said.

He accused selfish interests and prolonged infighting of crippling the PDP and weakening its future.

Aiguobarueghian also highlighted his legislative and constituency achievements, saying he facilitated the passage of 44 bills within less than two years and executed projects including schools, transformers and water schemes across communities in Edo State.

According to him, there were growing calls for him to contest for the House of Representatives.

Also speaking, the Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the NDC, Honourable Abdulmumin Abdusalam, described the event as “epoch-making,” noting that the party had continued to attract high-profile politicians across the country.

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

He disclosed that more governors, former governors, lawmakers and political stakeholders were expected to join the party in the coming weeks.

Abdusalam also said the party’s forthcoming national convention would demonstrate the NDC’s commitment to organization and internal democracy.

He, however, dismissed speculations that the party had already zoned its presidential ticket to the South in favour of Peter Obi.

“Politics is dynamic. We have not zoned the presidency to the South. Consultations are ongoing and all scenarios are possible,” he stated.

Meanwhile, 2Face Idibia urged Nigerians to make informed political choices and demand accountability from political leaders.

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

Political observers at the event described the growing momentum around the NDC as a reflection of increasing public dissatisfaction with mainstream political parties and the search for a new opposition platform ahead of future elections.