Popular Okrika-born philanthropist and grassroots politician, Hon. Desmond Stephen, has resigned from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and joined the Action Democratic Party (ADP) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Stephen, who is the ADP candidate for Okrika Constituency in the Rivers State House of Assembly election, formally announced his resignation from the NDC in a letter dated May 25, 2026.
In the letter, he thanked the leadership and members of the NDC for the opportunities, experiences and political exposure he gained during his time with the party.
He explained that his decision followed careful reflection and was driven by his desire to serve the people of Okrika with renewed energy and a clearer sense of purpose.
Stephen’s move to the ADP has attracted attention across Okrika Constituency, particularly among his supporters and political associates.
The politician is known for his community outreach initiatives, youth empowerment programmes and advocacy for grassroots development.
He said the ADP platform provides a better opportunity to pursue his vision for Okrika, particularly in the areas of education, healthcare, infrastructure and economic empowerment.
According to him, his political decision was ultimately guided by the need to provide more effective and responsive representation for the people of the constituency.
Speaking with Vanguard on Saturday, Stephen confirmed his resignation from the NDC and explained the motivation behind his decision.
He said, “The decision was born out of my desire to give a good representation to my people.”
His emergence as the ADP candidate is expected to further shape the political contest for Okrika Constituency ahead of the 2027 Rivers State House of Assembly election.
Stephen’s supporters have described his defection as a bold political move, expressing confidence that his grassroots experience and community-focused agenda would strengthen his campaign.
The politician has also reiterated his commitment to addressing issues directly affecting residents of Okrika, including access to quality education, healthcare, infrastructure and sustainable economic opportunities.
His resignation marks a new phase in his political career as he begins preparations to contest the Okrika Constituency seat under the ADP.
