Former Kogi West Senator and ex-governorship candidate, Dino Melaye, has formally joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The announcement came just hours after his dramatic resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

In a letter dated July 4, 2025, addressed to the PDP ward chairman in his home town of Aiyetoro Gbede, Ijumu LGA, Melaye cited the party’s incapacity to rescue Nigerians from the “political cankerworms” as the reason for his exit. He declared his withdrawal from the party with immediate effect.

Melaye was formally welcomed into the ADC by the Kogi State chapter, where he was presented with his ADC membership card alongside party leaders at various levels. A senior party official revealed that Melaye had “been working underground with us for months.”

Brands and supporters of the ADC describe this move as the culmination of Melaye’s gradual alignment with the party’s ideals.

Melaye’s move is a major boost to Atiku Abubakar’s coalition-led opposition ahead of the 2027 elections. Joining ADC places him alongside other high-profile defectors like Peter Obi, Atiku himself, and former APC figures such as Rotimi Amaechi, Rauf Aregbesola, and Nasir El-Rufai, now working together to challenge the APC’s dominance.