Abejide Quits ADC Amid Factional Crisis, Legal Battles

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) is facing significant internal turmoil, leading to the departure of a key lawmaker, Leke Abejide. Abejide, a two-term representative for Yagba East/Yagba West/Mopamuro Federal Constituency in Kogi State, has expressed deep disappointment with the protracted crises and legal battles plaguing the party. He described his decision to leave as painful but necessary for his political future, stating that he labored hard to nurture the party, only for it to be undermined by those seeking to destroy it.

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It is a painful decision but necessary to save my political future from those who came to destroy my former political party that I laboured hard to nurture and love dearly.

Abejide detailed a history of deliberate stalling tactics in legal proceedings he initiated against party figures, including former Senate President David Mark and former Osun State governor Rauf Aregbesola. He accused these individuals of using various means to delay his case, particularly as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) released its timetable for the 2027 electoral activities. This prolonged delay, coupled with a leadership vacuum within the ADC, prompted his legal counsel to advise seeking an alternative platform.

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The defendants who are David Mark and others kept sending different people to join my case as a way to delay the matter from being adjudicated upon by the Judge up to the time Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) rolled out Timetable for political activities, for Primaries Elections and General Elections in 2027.

The lawmaker also pointed to a faction within the party aiming to sideline long-standing members, asserting their intention was not to grow the party but to thwart the ambitions of dedicated members like himself. This situation is exacerbated by a recent wave of expulsions within the ADC, which saw Abejide himself among those sanctioned for alleged anti-party activities. The party's internal strife raises serious questions about its stability and future prospects, particularly as electoral cycles approach.

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My counsel further advised me that since ADC is leaderless and with the implication of not having validly elected national chairman and national secretary respectively to sign my nomination form which is mandatory by law before one can become a valid candidate, I should seek for an alternative platform to pursue my political ambition.