The sole member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the House of Representatives, Hon. Leke Abejide, has strongly condemned the recent takeover of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) by a coalition of politicians led by former Senate President David Mark, describing the move as both “forceful” and “illegal.”
Abejide, who represents Yagba East/Yagba West/Mopamuro Federal Constituency of Kogi State, made this assertion over the weekend in Abuja during a meeting of “Critical Stakeholders of the Leke Abejide Political Family.” The gathering, which drew participants from across party lines—including the APC, PDP, and ADC—was convened to clarify Abejide’s political position amid speculations about his allegiance.
Speaking to his supporters, Abejide disassociated himself from the so-called “Coalition ADC,” accusing its members—largely drawn from the PDP, Labour Party, and APC—of attempting to hijack the ADC structure for their personal and political agendas.
> “These political marauders came through the back door with the aim of taking over the ADC. They destroyed their former parties and now want to replicate that here. We won’t allow that to happen,” Abejide declared.
The lawmaker, who has twice been elected on the ADC platform and was the party’s governorship candidate in the 2023 Kogi State election, warned that the coalition’s agenda—including its plan to challenge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027—would fail.
> “Their plan to unseat President Tinubu using the ADC is bound to collapse. We remain committed to supporting the President for a second term, and those plotting otherwise are only digging their political graves,” he added.
Abejide vowed to take legal action to challenge the legitimacy of the “so-called Interim National Working Committee,” insisting that no proper NEC meeting was held to approve such a transition in party leadership.
> “As the most senior NEC member of the ADC, I will not stand by and watch the party being stolen. We will go to court to challenge this illegality,” he said.
He also criticized recent political activities in Kogi State by members of the coalition, calling them a “mockery of democracy.”
> “When we were building and nurturing the ADC, these people were nowhere to be found. Now they want to reap where they didn’t sow. We will not let that happen,” he added.
In a show of cross-party support, a chieftain of the APC, Chief John Fabola, praised Abejide’s leadership and declared unwavering loyalty to him.
> “Hon. Abejide is the political landlord of ADC—not only in Yagba Federal Constituency or Kogi State, but even at the national level. He has made it clear that any future moves will be communicated directly to us. The coalition’s aim to unseat President Tinubu will not succeed,” Fabola stated.
Abejide’s stance reaffirms a deepening rift within the ADC, as original party members push back against what they view as an externally orchestrated takeover, setting the stage for legal and political battles ahead of the 2027 general elections.
