A former governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke, has dumped the Peoples Democratic Party and pitched tent with the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Mr Duke who has once defected to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) before returning to the PDP, received his ADC membership card on Friday following his registration as a member of the party in Ward 5, Calabar Municipal.

The ADC in the Bakassi Local Government Area of the state on Friday called on residents to identify with the party, describing it as a credible platform for transformative change in Nigeria.

A statement to journalists on Friday stated that the call was made following a stakeholders’ meeting involving chapter executive members, ward chairmen, and secretaries of the party in Bakassi.

“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,” noted the statement signed by the ADC Bakassi chapter Chairman, Emmanuel Asuquo, and Secretary, Eko Boco.

The statement also reaffirmed the chapter’s loyalty to the national leadership of the party.

It added, “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.”

Many politicians have joined the ADC as a coalition to dislodge the President Bola Tinubu-led All Progressives Congress administration in 2027.

Politicians which included former vice president Atiku Abubakar, ex-governors Peter Obi, Nasir El-Rufai, Rotimi Amaechi, and Rauf Aregbesola are members of the ADC.