The National Leader of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, Seriake Dickson, on Friday received a group of defectors from the African Democratic Congress, Labour Party, and Social Democratic Party.
The defectors, formally presented at a press conference at Dickson’s residence in Abuja, were led by suspended ADC chieftain Amanda Pam.
Pam, a former National Legal Adviser of the Peoples Democratic Party in 2003, also served as Mandate Secretary for Health in the Federal Capital Territory under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
She arrived with several ward and local government chairmen, ADC stalwarts, and supporters from the Kwankwasiyya Movement in the Abuja Municipal Area Council, highlighting the scale of the defection.
Among those who joined her were 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; and ex-FCT Youth Leader, Aliyu Umar.Others included former SDP Chairman in the FCT, Nurudeen Bissallah, and the immediate past Deputy Chairman of the FCT Labour Party, Faruk Datsama.
Addressing journalists, Dickson described the defections as a major boost for the NDC and welcomed the new members warmly.
He said,“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.” Dickson added that the NDC was growing its influence across the country, noting activity in states such as Sokoto, Kebbi, and Lagos, and officially presented membership cards to the defectors.Pam
Pam, a prominent grassroots politician in Abuja, explained that the move was motivated by the need 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.”Bissallah, appointed deputy state chairman of the NDC, said the SDP structure in the FCT had been collapsed into the new party, with members ready to receive their NDC membership cards.
Datsama, former Deputy Chairman of the FCT Labour Party, cited ongoing crises in the Labour Party as a reason for his defection, describing the NDC and its leadership as the “best option” for Nigeria.
The defections come amid a deepening crisis within the ADC, following the derecognition of the David Mark-led leadership.
In Abuja, the party has faced internal disputes, including the controversial suspension of Senator Ireti Kingibe, which was later declared illegal by the National Working Committee due to procedural violations.
