Opposition leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State have denied reports linking them to a coalition with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), dismissing the claim as baseless and politically misleading.
The denial follows reports suggesting that PDP figures in the state had aligned with their national counterparts, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, to adopt the ADC as a platform to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general election.
Former House of Representatives member, Bode Ayorinde, had earlier claimed during a stakeholders’ meeting in Akure that prominent PDP members, including former governorship candidates Eyitayo Jegede and Agboola Ajayi, were set to lead the ADC coalition in the state.
However, in a joint statement issued on Wednesday in Akure, key PDP leaders described the alleged alliance as a “political distraction and illusion with no ideological depth.”
The statement was signed by top PDP stakeholders, including Bode Olajumoke (BoT Life Member), Eddy Olafeso (BoT Member), Agboola Alfred Ajayi (2024 Governorship Candidate), and Debo Ologunagba (National Publicity Secretary), among others.
They categorically denied any merger or affiliation with the ADC or any other party, reaffirming their loyalty to the PDP. While acknowledging concerns over the defection of some members, they urged those misled by the rumoured coalition to reconsider their stance.
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The leaders emphasised that neither the state nor national leadership of the PDP had engaged in coalition talks and insisted that the party’s structure across the 203 wards and 18 local government areas in the state remains strong and functional.
“We wish to reassure our teeming supporters that the PDP remains strong, focused, and unshaken in Ondo State. No part of the national or state leadership has entered any coalition discussions, contrary to speculations making the rounds,” they stated.
“Our goal remains clear: to rescue, rebuild, and reposition Nigeria and Ondo State through the ballot. Those who have been misled into believing in an imaginary coalition should retrace their steps. The PDP is not part of any merger or third force,” they stated.
While acknowledging that the political climate in Nigeria often breeds uncertainty and temptation, they noted that the so-called coalitions lack ideological clarity and cannot rival the “tested and trusted” PDP structure.
The PDP leaders asked members to remain vigilant, organised, and committed to the PDP vision while calling for caution against being swayed by defections.
“The PDP is not just a party—it is a movement. Our mobilisation for the next election is fully underway. We are not relenting. We are rebuilding.
“Not all that glitters is gold. Loyalty to a just cause will outlast opportunistic alignments,” the opposition leaders said.