Former Cross River State Governor, Donald Duke, has formally defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), marking his latest political realignment ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Duke, who had earlier left the PDP for the Social Democratic Party (SDP) before returning to the opposition fold, completed his move to the ADC on Friday after registering as a member in Ward 5, Calabar Municipal. He was subsequently issued his membership card by party officials.
The development comes as the ADC continues to expand its base in Cross River State and across the country, positioning itself as a key platform for political realignment and opposition coalition building.
Meanwhile, the party’s leadership in Bakassi Local Government Area has called on residents of the area to rally behind the ADC, describing it as a credible and viable platform for transformative governance in Nigeria.
The appeal was contained in a statement issued after a stakeholders’ meeting of ADC leaders in Bakassi and signed by the chapter’s Chairman, Emmanuel Asuquo, and Secretary, Eko Boco.
“We invite our family and friends who are still undecided to join the ADC today, as the party is poised to bring about transformative change in Nigeria,” the statement said.
The Bakassi chapter also reaffirmed its loyalty to the national leadership of the party, pledging full support for its organs and structures at all levels.
“We express our unwavering support and confidence in the leadership of Senator David Mark, National Chairman, and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, National Secretary, and pledge our loyalty to all recognised organs and structures of the party at all levels as we work towards building a strong and united ADC,” the statement added.
The ADC has recently witnessed an influx of high-profile political figures as part of a growing coalition aimed at challenging the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led All Progressives Congress (APC) administration in the 2027 elections.
Prominent politicians who have aligned with the party include former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former governors Peter Obi, Nasir El-Rufai, Rotimi Amaechi, and Rauf Aregbesola, further strengthening the ADC’s profile as a major opposition force.
